South Carolina releases food system policy toolkit

The South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health and the SC Roadmap have released a new toolkit designed to help state leaders identify practical food system policy options that drive local economic development, support farmers and agribusinesses and improve health across the state.

The toolkit, Helping Health Happen for All: A Roadmap for Food System Policy in South Carolina, is designed to provide an overview of evidence-informed policy opportunities across the food system, including food production, processing, distribution, consumption and connections to health care, according to a news release.

Agriculture is one of South Carolina’s most important economic drivers, supporting jobs, businesses and local economies across the state. At present, only 32% of agribusiness products purchased by South Carolinians are processed within the state, according to the Institute of Medicine and Public Health.

The remaining 68% is sourced from outside South Carolina, and IMPH leaders think that difference represents a significant opportunity to expand in-state processing capacity. Increasing local processing would help retain more food-related spending within the state’s economy, strengthen agricultural markets, support local farmers and their businesses and create jobs in communities across South Carolina, the release stated.

“This toolkit is designed to provide policymakers with practical policy options to address our state’s complex food system challenges,” Maya Pack, IMPH executive director, said in the release. “By connecting public health, agriculture and health care, South Carolina can take meaningful steps toward a stronger food system and healthier communities. We anticipate that elected leaders and community coalitions will use the toolkit as a guide to leverage our state’s agribusiness potential to improve health outcomes in their local communities.”

Food insecurity remains a significant challenge in South Carolina, affecting 14.4% of families and contributing to chronic disease and higher health care costs, the  organization says. The toolkit highlights policy opportunities that can be tailored to local contexts and implemented in the short term, with an emphasis on moderate or no cost opportunities. Examples include preserving farmland through zoning changes, supporting community gardens, expanding training opportunities for new and beginning farmers, strengthening regional food processing capacity and connecting food access efforts with health care settings.

The food system policy toolkit was developed in alignment with the SC Roadmap initiative, which brings together partners across sectors to address nonmedical factors of health. The toolkit reflects IMPH’s commitment to providing nonpartisan, evidence-based resources that inform policy and support healthier South Carolina families.