Community Food Security - read the Hunger Commission's food access study and download free food access study materials including curriculum for nutrition education workshops.

Community Food Assessments

Community Food Assessment has emerged as a powerful tool in planning for and securing access to food for city residents. During a Community Food Assessment, residents, activists, social workers, local organizations, faith-based groups, health care professionals, college and university staff, farmers, and others come together to examine where and how people get food in their community. They explore and address a wide range of issues, including hunger, diet-related diseases, diminishing green spaces, and lack of economic opportunity in low-income neighborhoods.

Depending on the size of a given community and the issues confronting it, methods may include:

• mapping locations of grocery stores, community gardens, farmers markets, corner stores, and food banks
• comparing prices and quality of food in stores
• reviewing statistics and studies, for example, census information
• conducting interviews and surveys of community members

As strengths and weaknesses of the food system become clear, participants in an assessment form a plan of action. In the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, for example, surveys of residents revealed little access to large grocery stores. The plan focused instead on the many small corner stores. The group won commitments from corner-store owners to stock fresh produce, healthy snacks, and nutritious food choices.

Other examples of Community Food Assessment actions:

• In the Del Paso Heights neighborhood of Sacramento, an assessment identified a need for improved public transportation to markets supplying fresh, nutritious, affordable food. The group's research and advocacy helped implement the Neighborhood Ride shuttle.
• Also in Sacramento, an assessment generated a new bus route that connects underserved neighborhoods to a grocery store on the opposite side of a freeway.
• In Berkeley, an assessment brought about increased collaboration between local growers and the school food system The Berkeley Unified Schools Lunch Program providing lunches to nearly 9,000 children.
• In Los Angeles, an assessment increased awareness sparked establishment of the Community Food Security Coalition in 1994.

Community Food Assessments elsewhere have led to new farmers' markets and community gardens, nutrition task forces, community food resource guides, expanded WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs, and "fellowship kitchens" providing free healthy meals. Though assessments are as varied as the neighborhoods involved, their research has this in common: it never gathers dust on a shelf. Assessments spark action for rapid results and lasting change.

For more information, see the www.foodsecurity.org/cfa_home.html or call the Community Food Security Coalition at 310-822-5410.

For more information on the Sacramento Hunger Commission's Avondale/Glen Elder Community Food Assessment, contact us.

-Tori Kjer, Community Food Security Coalition

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