First town hall meeting with Obama officials
Obama Administration officials were in Philadelphia Thursday kicking off a series of town hall meetings about how the federal government can help cities.
Obama Administration officials were in Philadelphia Thursday kicking off a series of town hall meetings about how the federal government can help cities. Several cabinet members took a tour of a new West Philadelphia supermarket as an example of a model Pennsylvania program that helps provide access to quality food in urban areas.
Listen:
[audio: 090723spurban.mp3]
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative has helped finance 68 projects statewide, including the Shoprite in the Parkside section of the city.
The program uses state and local government funds, as well as private financing, to develop supermarkets in underserved areas.
Ron Sims is the Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Sims says the Obama Administration wants to start focusing more on community development.
Sims: And we’re simply saying fresh food shouldn’t be the stores that offer the premium price for organic food, fresh food should be the common place in every single supermarket in this country.
Several cities and states have already replicated the Pennsylvania program.
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