--- title: SIMPCO GIS Helps Improve Access to Food Resources Across Siouxland description: At SIMPCO, collaboration and innovation help communities make informed decisions and improve quality of life. Recently, Regional Planner and GIS Specialist Ryan Brauer partnered with Siouxland District Health Department to develop an interactive mapping tool designed to help residents locate food resources and transportation options throughout the region. image: https://simpco.org/hubfs/SDHD%20and%20SIMPCO%20Food%20Access%20Map.png --- [Skip to content](https://simpco.org/news/simpco-gis-helps-improve-access-to-food-resources-across-siouxland#main-content) - [RESOURCES](https://simpco.org/resources) - [PUBLICATIONS](https://simpco.org/publications) - [NEWS & EVENTS](https://simpco.org/news/tag/news) [tel:+17122796286](tel:+17122796286)[mailto:simpco@simpco.org](mailto:simpco@simpco.org) Close - [Divisions](https://simpco.org/divisions) - [Transportation Planning](https://simpco.org/divisions/transportation-planning) - [Bicycle & Pedestrian Activities](https://simpco.org/divisions/transportation-planning/bicycle-pedestrian-activities) - [Title VI Civil Rights](https://simpco.org/divisions/transportation-planning/title-vi-civil-rights) - 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Recently, Regional Planner and GIS Specialist **Ryan Brauer** partnered with the **Siouxland District Health Department** to develop an interactive mapping tool designed to help residents locate food resources and transportation options throughout the region. The new **Food Access Map** provides an easy-to-use, web-based resource that displays: - Full-service grocery stores - Emergency food pantries - Public transit routes By bringing these resources together in one location, the map helps residents identify nearby food access points and determine whether public transportation is available to reach them. The tool supports community members who may face transportation barriers while seeking access to healthy and affordable food options. This project demonstrates how geographic information systems (GIS) technology can be used to address real-world challenges and support public health initiatives. Through partnerships like this, SIMPCO continues to provide technical expertise that strengthens communities and improves access to essential services. "We are proud to partner with organizations like the Siouxland District Health Department to create practical tools that make information more accessible and help residents connect with important community resources," said Ryan Brauer. #### Explore the Food Access Map 🔗 Residents can access the interactive Food Access Map here: [Food Access in Siouxland](https://wcicc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=329e06c9946c442d903d28b5d452eeda)  ![avatar](https://simpco.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20SIMPCO%20Site/Global/simpco-blog-author-logo.png?width=290&name=simpco-blog-author-logo.png) #### [SIMPCO](https://simpco.org/news/author/simpco) The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council, located in Sioux City, Iowa, is a council of governments serving the tri-state area of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. ## RELATED ARTICLES Button Title [![simpco-logo-white](https://45496084.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/45496084/hubfs/2024%20SIMPCO%20Site/Global/simpco-logo-white.webp?width=130&name=simpco-logo-white.webp)](https://simpco.org/) The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council, located in Sioux City, Iowa, is a council of governments serving the tri-state area of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. 6401 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106 [**712-279-6286**](tel:7122796286) [**simpco@simpco.org**](mailto:%20simpco@simpco.org) - [Divisions](https://simpco.org/divisions) - [Transportation Planning](https://simpco.org/divisions/transportation-planning) - [Community Development](https://simpco.org/divisions/community-development) - [Economic Development](https://simpco.org/divisions/economic-development) - [Housing Programs](https://simpco.org/divisions/housing-programs) - [GIS Mapping](https://simpco.org/divisions/gis-mapping) - [SRTS / Paratransit](https://simpco.org/siouxland-regional-transit-system) - [Learn More](https://simpco.org/about-us) - [About Us](https://simpco.org/about-us) - [Current Projects](https://simpco.org/news/tag/current-projects) - [Publications](https://simpco.org/publications) - [Resources](https://simpco.org/resources) - [Contact Us](https://simpco.org/contact-us) - [News & Events](https://simpco.org/news/tag/news) - [Online Store](https://www.walloffame247.com/srts-simpco) Sign up for Our Newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay updated on current projects, upcoming events, meetings, grant opportunities, and ways to get involved. © SIMPCO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. - [Privacy Policy](https://simpco.org/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "", "addressLocality" : "Sioux City", "addressRegion" : "Iowa", "postalCode" : "51106", "streetAddress" : "6401 Gordon Drive" }, "knowsLanguage" : "en-us", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://45496084.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/45496084/2024%20SIMPCO%20Site/Global/simpco-logo-blue.webp" }, "name" : "Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) & Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS)", "url" : "https://simpco.org/news/simpco-gis-helps-improve-access-to-food-resources-across-siouxland" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "abstract" : "At SIMPCO, collaboration and innovation help communities make informed decisions and improve quality of life. 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Recently, Regional Planner and GIS Specialist Ryan Brauer partnered with the Siouxland District Health Department to develop an interactive mapping tool designed to help residents locate food resources and transportation options throughout the region. The new Food Access Map provides an easy-to-use, web-based resource that displays: Full-service grocery stores Emergency food pantries Public transit routes By bringing these resources together in one location, the map helps residents identify nearby food access points and determine whether public transportation is available to reach them. The tool supports community members who may face transportation barriers while seeking access to healthy and affordable food options. This project demonstrates how geographic information systems (GIS) technology can be used to address real-world challenges and support public health initiatives. Through partnerships like this, SIMPCO continues to provide technical expertise that strengthens communities and improves access to essential services. \"We are proud to partner with organizations like the Siouxland District Health Department to create practical tools that make information more accessible and help residents connect with important community resources,\" said Ryan Brauer. Explore the Food Access Map 🔗 Residents can access the interactive Food Access Map here: Food Access in Siouxland", "url" : "https://simpco.org/news/simpco-gis-helps-improve-access-to-food-resources-across-siouxland", "wordCount" : "336" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "SIMPCO", "url" : "https://simpco.org/news/author/simpco" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-21T16:50:13.595Z", "datePublished" : "2026-09-21T16:39:58.000Z", "headline" : "SIMPCO GIS Helps Improve Access to Food Resources Across Siouxland", "image" : [ "https://simpco.org/hubfs/SDHD%20and%20SIMPCO%20Food%20Access%20Map.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://simpco.org/news/simpco-gis-helps-improve-access-to-food-resources-across-siouxland", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://simpco.org/hubfs/2024%20SIMPCO%20Site/Global/simpco-logo-blue.webp" } } } ```