File:Brightly colored barrels in front of agricultural hoop-house that spell out, “Youngstown.” (19178203485).jpg

Youngstown, located in Mahoning County, Ohio (served by the Appalachian Regional Commission), was once a powerhouse in steel production. When the steel industry collapsed, many Youngstown residents lost their jobs, and businesses and people left the city. Despite these challenges, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) notes that, “Youngstown is redefining itself and working to become a smaller and greener city, with local food playing a critical role in that revitalization process.” YNDC applied to the Local Foods, Local Places knowing that an action plan could help integrate local food with neighborhood revitalization efforts currently underway and define policies that could help connect urban and rural producers with new markets.

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) in Youngstown, Ohio, requested assistance from the Local Foods, Local Places program. On April 23-24, 2015, a team of agricultural, transportation, environmental, public health, and regional economic experts visited Youngstown to work with residents and local food groups to explore strategies to support local foods and community revitalization. By coupling local food production with smart growth strategies, communities can create vibrant places while protecting people’s health and the natural environment. EPA’s Smart Growth Program has tools, publications, and technical assistance to help communities achieve these goals.