The Future of Chicago’s Food and Beverage Accessibility

Chicago Mayoral Runoff 2023 Edition 

Food and beverage accessibility is a cause that’s hugely important to us at Moody. We’re dedicated to making our products accessible both in price and in availability because we’re working against food apartheids. This also means that we are interested in political candidates and their plans to address food insecurity (among other issues). In the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Runoff, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson are competing to lead the Windy City. One crucial issue affecting Chicago’s residents is food and beverage accessibility. In this article, we’ll examine each candidate’s platform and how they plan to address this important topic. 

Paul Vallas’ Plan 

Paul Vallas believes that improving food and beverage accessibility starts with supporting local businesses and leveraging community resources. His plan includes: 

• Strengthening neighborhood business corridors: Vallas wants to revitalize local business corridors which will attract grocery stores and other food providers. His plan includes providing incentives for businesses that offer healthy food options in underserved communities (Vallas’ Economic Development Plan). 
• Increasing contracts for small businesses: Vallas will incentivize city government, including CPS, to partner with local vendors and restaurants to bring healthier food options as opposed to large companies like Aramark (Vallas’ Economic Development Plan) 
• Encouraging urban agriculture: Vallas supports urban agriculture initiatives, such as community gardens and urban farms, to increase access to healthy foods and provide educational opportunities on nutrition and sustainable food production (Johnson and Vallas Debate, March 30th). 

Brandon Johnson’s Plan 

Brandon Johnson advocates for large-scale, systemic changes to improve health and human services quality and  accessibility in Chicago. His proposals include: 

• Fighting food apartheid: Brandon Johnson is committed to addressing food apartheid by investing in public health. This includes increasing front line workers in the Chicago Department of Public Health, and expanding guaranteed income programs so more families can afford healthy options (Johnson’s Health and Human Services Plan) 
• Investing in public transportation: Johnson believes that improved public transportation is crucial for public health. By enhancing the city’s bus and train systems and providing reduced fares for low income residents, he aims to make it easier for residents of all income levels to move throughout the city. Improved transportation will help make healthier food choices more available to those that need them (Johnson’s Transportation Plan). 
• Increasing small business funding: Brandon Johnson is dedicated to supporting woman and minority owned businesses (like us!) by restructuring the City’s current funding programs to be more grant based, providing more grant options for women and minority owned businesses. This will allow for more food and beverage based businesses to thrive in the city, especially in areas currently affected by food apartheid (Johnson and Vallas Debate, March 16th). 

The Importance of Food and Beverage Accessibility 

Addressing food and beverage accessibility is vital for several reasons: 

• Health: Ensuring that all residents have access to affordable, nutritious food can help combat chronic health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. 
• Education: Adequate nutrition is essential for students’ cognitive development, concentration, and overall academic performance. Without access to healthy food options, students may struggle to achieve their full potential. 
• Community: A robust local food system can foster a sense of community and encourage residents to support one another. 

Getting Involved 

Regardless of your reading level, there are 3 major ways to engage with food accessibility issues in Chicago: 

1. Stay informed: Research each candidate’s platform and discuss their policies with friends, family, and teachers. By staying informed, you can advocate for the candidate whose policies align with your values. 
2. Attend events: Participate in mayoral debates, town halls, and community meetings to learn more about each candidate’s stance on food accessibility. 
3. Volunteer: Get involved with local organizations that address food accessibility, such as food banks, community gardens, or nutritional educational programs. 

As the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Runoff approaches, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson present distinct plans for improving food accessibility and small business support in the city. By examining their platforms and considering the potential impact on Chicago’s residents, voters can make an informed decision about the future of food accessibility in the city. 

If you haven’t registered to vote yet, we’ll make it easy on you. Voting isn’t just your civic duty, it’s an important way to make your voice known!