This is a toolkit to help your community understand the economic impacts of your local food system initiatives.
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A Useful Framework for Planning Comprehensive Social Media Initiatives for Food Systems Projects
By:
Sarah Misyak, Virginia Tech, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
Meredith Ledlie Johnson, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Family Nutrition Program
Austin Brooks, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Family Nutrition Program,
Mary McFerren, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Family Nutrition Program,
Elena Serrano, Virginia Tech, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
Abstract
There is a growing interest in Extension to use social media to increase awareness and support changes within local food systems. In this article, we present an example of the …
Hungry for Change: Partnering with Small Food Retailers to Increase Healthy Food Access
By Kara Lubischer, University of Missouri Extension and Kay Gasen, University of Missouri – St. Louis
For many Americans, buying healthy foods is as simple as driving a short distance or walking a few blocks to the neighborhood grocery store. For others, especially those in low-income communities, accessing a food retailer with healthful food choices is not so easy. Without supermarkets nearby, residents are dependent on corner stores, gas stations or convenience stores that often lack fresh fruits and
Urban Agriculture
In this area, find information related to urban food and agricultural systems.
If you are interested in creating an article that can contribute to this resource area, please contact Phil D’Adamo-Damery pdadamer@vt.edu…
Jill Clark, John Glenn School of Public Affairs, Ohio State University
Jill Clark is an assistant professor in the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University. Jill’s research and service centers on food and agricultural system policy, planning and economic development, along with sustainable food markets and infrastructure. She is interested in the dynamics between urban and rural, producer and consumer, alternative and conventional, and global and local aspects of food systems. Current funded research focuses on opportunities for connecting food security and agricultural economic development policy initiatives, …
Urban food system projects in Extension
By Julie M. Fox, Ph.D., The Ohio State University Extension
Introduction
Extension educators set the stage for stable relationships, inter-organizational linkages, and feedback loops upon which localized food systems could be built (Dunning, et al., 2012; Gulati & Gargiulo, 1999; Ramasawmy & Fort, 2011; Sundkvist et al., 2005). Extension’s involvement in food system development appears throughout history, illustrating various ways state and county personnel have contributed to collaborative networks that integrate sustainable food production, processing, distribution,
Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Program Montgomery County Ohio working with a Dayton, Ohio Community Center to sustainably diminish a local “Food Desert”
By Suzanne Mills-Wasniak, Brad Bergefurd, & Tony Nye – The Ohio State University Cooperative Extension
Background
Similar to other metropolitan cities in the United States, Dayton, Ohio experienced a double digit (15%) population decline from 2000 to 2010. Accompanying the population decline was a decrease in employment opportunities, an increase in abandoned homes and businesses, and an increased need for fresh, nutritious produce availability in identified “food deserts.” Neighborhood demographics were changing, resulting in the opportunity for neighborhood revitalization. 3
Using Collective Impact to Build a Local Foods System
By Kari O’Neill and Chris Zdorovtsov, South Dakota State University Extension Community Development
Collaboration is the name of the game when you really want to get things moving on a large scale with an important initiative. Building a local foods system is such an initiative. There are many entities with interest, resources, and education that can and should be mobilized to assist growers and consumers in developing a food system they can navigate through easily.
Getting the right players to
Evaluation of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Rebate Program in Wisconsin
By Christie Balch, Crossroads Community Food Network
Introduction
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct marketing strategy for small-scale vegetable farmers. In this arrangement, customers typically purchase a share in advance, committing to the farm for that season and helping to cover the initial annual costs of the farm operation. In return, members receive a share of the farm’s produce each week during the growing season. Normally, both the bounty and the risks are shared between the farmer and the
Marketing Specialty Cut Flowers
By Holly Scoggins, Virginia Tech
Introduction
The interest in locally grown cut flowers is blossoming! From you-pick to farmers’ markets; savvy brides to local-lifestylers, this niche market can enhance or supplement sales of vegetables, herbs, and/or value-added products. Direct marketing (field to end-user sales) fits perfectly with small-scale cut flower production. If volume grows, there is also the opportunity to sell wholesale for resale by florists or floral distributors.
Cut flowers are high-value crops – one of the most