Community development in the age of neoliberalism: the case of the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative

Abstract

OF THE DISSERTATION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE AGE OF NEOLIBERALISM: The case of the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative By JEFFREY PETER DOSHNA Dissertation Director: Julia Sass Rubin This dissertation examines the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI), which supported the construction of 88 supermarkets in lowincome communities with poor access to healthy fresh food, between 2004 and 2009. This program became the model for similar efforts in cities and states across the United States, as well as the Federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The dissertation utilizes the PA FFFI case study to explore the impact that the neoliberal policy environment has had on community development. The neoliberal preference for limited government has led to reduced federal funding for low-income communities and a shift towards programs that leverage private capital to achieve social goals. This includes tax credits and