Health academic Dr Karen Lee calls for healthy food tax breaks Stalls selling healthy food should be given tax breaks and less red tape, a leading expert says. SUPERMARKETS should get tax breaks to open in suburban areas with poor food choice, says an international health and planning expert. North American public health academic Dr Karen Lee said cities like Melbourne could also follow New York's example and make it easier for street vendors to get permits if they only sold fruit and vegetables. "So you're now selling healthy food in a community that needs it and you're able to get your street food cart permit much quicker than if you were to wait in line for the usual permit to sell hot dogs," she said. Dr Lee has been brought to Australia by groups including the Heart Foundation and VicHealth to advise on ways to improve liveability and health in cities. She is the New York Health Department's Built Environment Program director and has worked with the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation. Dr Lee said healthy food, good public transport services and regular exercise were vital in the fight against growing problems such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Cities can use tax incentives for supermarkets to locate in 'food desert' areas. "Sometimes we don't have enough density in city areas and it's hard to have enough amenities for residents," she said. It's really important to have enough density without it being so high that you have severe overcrowding. Dr Lee has taken part in meetings and seminars in Melbourne and will also visit other Australian cities.