Between 2012 and 2014, the FEAST Study: An Exploration of Food Environments used the Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool to examine their neighborhood food stores and what makes it easier or harder for older adults to be healthy in Northern San Mateo County.

Residents in Daly City, San Bruno, and South San Francisco have higher rates of diabetes and heart disease as well as shorter life spans than other residents in San Mateo County. Since a lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating are linked to these diseases, the FEAST project aimed to identify factors that make it easier or harder to access, choose, and buy healthy foods as well as be physically active. The study found that older adults in North County lacked information about food assistance and transportation programs and services, and access to corner stores and ethnic markets were key to creating opportunities for older adults to be healthy.