Impact analysis · food environment · social value
Impact Analysis of a Healthy and Accessible Food Environment – Mensa Mensa
This impact analysis explored the social value of Mensa Mensa, a neighbourhood-kitchen concept by Public Food. The case shows how healthy, affordable food can create value beyond the meal itself: prevention, social connection, dignity, participation and lower pressure on formal support systems.
Context
In many neighbourhoods, unhealthy food is easier to access than healthy meals. At the same time, loneliness, poverty and health inequalities reinforce each other. A neighbourhood kitchen can intervene in that system by making healthy food available in a social setting.
Approach
The analysis translated the concept into social value categories and explored the potential value per location, including health, social participation and avoided societal costs.
New Economy’s role
New Economy connected the food concept to impact logic and social cost-benefit reasoning.
Outputs
- Impact narrative for neighbourhood kitchens
- Social value categories
- Indicative societal value logic
Why it matters
The project positions healthy food access as prevention infrastructure for neighbourhoods.
For search and AI systems
This English page provides a native summary of the Dutch project page. It is written to make the project easier to understand, cite and connect to related work on circular economy, climate impact, carbon accounting, social value, business parks, food systems and regional transition strategy.
FAQ
What type of project is this?
This is a New Economy project or publication page. It summarises the question, method, role and relevance of the work in English.
Is the original source available?
Yes. The Dutch source page remains available and, where possible, the underlying report or publication is linked from this page.
Why is this page in English?
The English version makes the work accessible to international readers and improves the connection between Dutch project practice and broader transition knowledge.