Community Food System Assessments An Engagement and Data Collection Tool to “Peel Back the Layers”

Community Food System Assessments

An Engagement and Data Collection Tool to “Peel Back the Layers”

Identify community prioritiesIdentify resources and gaps Evaluate existing resourcesDiscover the opinions of producers

and consumersDiscover policies and

environmental challenges related to the food system

Discover best practices and make recommendations for change

What the Assessment Can Do:

Understanding the trends andrelationships between elements within

thefood system, ultimately assists community

members and policy makers inpinpointing areas of concern and working

for appropriate and equitable change.

“Appalachian Roots”

Priorities:1. Expand Farmers Market2. Address Health Disparities3. Economic Development

Core Team: -St. Vincents Mission-Big Sandy Area Development District-Extension (Horticulture)-Local Farmer-Big Sandy Community College-Local Health Department

Floyd County- Prestonsburg

Lessons Learned

Community CollegesConversation as

momentumExtension experienceEvaluate first meetingsLong distance organizingClarify roles

Bowling Green

”Barren River Food Systems Alliance”

Priorities:-Food Security-Farmer Support-Economic Development

Core Team:-Farmers-Health Department-Barren River Area Development District-WKU-Growing…

Lessons Learned

-Get ORGANIZED-Case Studies-Learn what is out there-Support relationships-Test drive surveys-New Structure-Evaluation and Remembering-Institutional Survey

Role Responsibility Time Commitment

Facilitator “Encourager”

Organize meetings, monitor progress, liaison between research partners and community, help provide necessary materials

Varies according to the stage of the project. This is a potentially funded position.

-Part-time Job

Steering Committee

Approve and guide decisions, monitor progress, develop goals, assist in data collection, help compile a finished report

Meetings once a month

2 hours per month

Work Group Members

Develop work plans, collect data with research partners, Analyze data with research partners

Meetings once a month

2 hours per month + time to collect data

Steering Committee

Farming-Communication

-Outreach

Consumption

Processing, Distribution, Aggregation

Community Organizing

• Structure first• Make a plan for

decision making• Roles MUST be

clear• Explore ways for

stakeholders to get involved

• Focus on the positive-don’t ignore the negative

• Leadership on the Ground

Research

• Agencies, Local Colleges, Universities, Team Members

• Start with what you already know

• Start with Focus Groups

• Develop questions based on scale, readiness and goals

Evaluation

• Community Readiness

• Relationships• Methods

Want to Learn More?

Heather Hyden- [email protected]: (615)-975-5459

Follow us on:

@Farmallianceky

Berea