Growing a Healthy Regional Food System! Grace Peterson, Extension Agent
Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. - Warren Bennis -
Production: The growing of food Processing: The preparation of food Waste: The disposal of food and food products The Food System Distribution: The moving of food Consumption: The eating of food Acquisition: The getting of food Copyright Grace Peterson, PhD Extension Agent, LSU AgCenter Gpterson@agcenter.lsu.edu 5/12
Diverse Health Promoting Production: Local and Regional Food Producers Processing: USDA Certified Facilities Fair Waste: Minimizes Food Loss and Conserves Resources Healthy Regional Food System Distribution: Local and Regional Distribution System Transparent Consumption: Knowledgeable Consumers in Strong Communities Acquisition: All Citizens Have Easy Access to a Variety of Food Economically Balanced Sustainable Developed by Grace Peterson, PhD Extension Agent, LSU AgCenter gpeterson@agcenter.lsu.edu
Target Goals All citizens have access to nutritious food Farming is profitable and sustainable Citizens/Communities are engaged in the Food System Education Advocacy Involvement in the food system at every level grass roots to policy
Barriers to Healthy Food Access Limited healthy food outlets in neighborhood food desert Limited financial resources to purchase healthy food Limited knowledge about how to make healthy food choices Limited knowledge about how to prepare food in a healthy manner
Target Goals All citizens have access to nutritious food Farming is profitable and sustainable Citizens/Communities are engaged in the Food System Education Advocacy Involvement in the food system at every level grass roots to policy
Regional Food Shed
Our Strategy System of Food Hubs Urban Neighborhood, Rural, and Regional Food Access Farmer profitability Community engagement
We Grow Together! Food Hubs Supporting Collaborations for Healthy Communities Nutritious Food Nutrition Education Grocery Stores, Food Pantries, Local Growers Community Engagement and Advocacy Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Public Health Organizations Community Food Hub Settings (Ex. Farmers Markets Churches, Community Centers, Grocery Stores, Community Gardens, etc.) SNAP-ed, Slow Food, ADA, EFNEP, others Volunteer and Mentor Training Youth Development Organizations Adult Volunteers Health Screenings and Education Medical Students, Allied Health Students, Health Clinics Physical Activity Sports Clubs Walking Clubs
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, be more, and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams -
Thank you!
Food-Related Goals Written in Master Plan GOAL #9: Locally produced foodstuffs are available for local consumption in a variety of outlets. GOAL #10: All residents have reasonable access to healthy, affordable food in close geographic proximity and are well informed about nutrition. From the Natural Heritage: Green Systems and Sustainability Chapter
ArkLaTex Food System Council Master Plan Mayors Breakfast and Proclamation March 2012 Formation of the ArkLaTex Food System Council March 2013 Launch the We Grow Together! Campaign On-going development of We Grow Together! document On-going working group activities
Goals For A Healthy Regional Food System Access to healthy food for all citizens Strong demand for healthy food Public understanding of the food system Strong neighborhood and rural food hubs for household consumers Strong regional food hub(s) for business and institutional consumers Distinct local and regional identities
The Importance of a Neighborhood Food System Hub Provides a place for education about and community support for: Healthy food choices Healthy preparation of food Growing healthy food The Regional Food System Provides a place for community members to access other resources: Educational programming Health screenings And more
We Grow Together! Food Hubs Supporting Collaborations for Healthy Communities Nutritious Food Nutrition Education Garden Clubs, Food Pantry, Local Farmers Community Engagement and Advocacy Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Public Health Organizations Community Center Settings (Ex. Churches, Community Centers, Community Gardens, etc.) SNAP-ed, Slow Food, ADA, EFNEP, others Volunteer and Mentor Training Youth Development Organizations Adult Volunteers Health Screenings and Education Medical Students, Allied Health Students, Health Clinics Physical Activity Sports Clubs Walking Clubs
Diverse Health Promoting Production: The growing of food Processing: The preparation of food Fair Waste: The disposal of food and food products The Food System Distribution: The moving of food Transparent Consumption: The eating of food Acquisition: The getting of food Economically Balanced Copyright Grace Peterson, PhD Extension Agent, LSU AgCenter Gpterson@agcenter.lsu.edu 5/12 Sustainable
Neighborhoods Families Organizations Governing Bodies The Community Network System Businesses Government Agencies Institutions
The Experience Diagram Copyright Grace Peterson, PhD Extension Agent, LSU AgCenter gpeterson@agcenter.lsu.edu 5/12