cultivating knowledge building networks catalyzing collaboration
TRANSCRIPT
Cultivating KnowledgeBuilding NetworksCatalyzing Collaboration
WHO WE ARE
A coalition of organizations and individuals aiming to create food-secure communities and improve the quality of life in SCNY by supporting practices, projects, and policies leading to increased use of nutritious, locally produced foods.
An interdisciplinary, systemic, and regional approach to impact SCNY’s food security.
*Collaboration is the name of the game! Everyone has a stake in our regional food system.
STAKEHOLDERS Diverse stakeholders in 8 NY Counties: Broome,
Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga, and Tompkins.
Organizational, business, and individual members and sponsors
Partners represent the agricultural, food security, nutrition and public health, environmental health/sustainability, planning/economic development, business, educational, and community sectors.
2015 MEMBERS & SPONSORS
HOW WE WORK:
Supported by the Rural Health Network of South Central NY
Guided by eight person Steering Committee
1 FTE staff person
AmeriCorps and VISTA support through the Rural Health Service Corps
Monthly meetings, information sharing, and collaborative work plan
Regional Food System Assessment Farm to School & Institution Healthy Food Procurement Summer Food Service Program
Assessment & Capacity Building Community Education Regional food policy and advocacy Collaborative Resource Development E-Newsletter & Information Sharing
PROJECTS & PROGRAMS
"FaHN represents an important nexus in the discussion of local food, agriculture, and community.”
-Andrew Flach, Hatherleigh Foundation
4 Themes
Quantitative and qualitative data grounded in the context of the food cycle
Planning, evaluation, and educational tool
Regional Food System Assessment for South
Central NY
Focus on food security and progress since 2012 Highlight of findings:
More eligible recipients benefiting from Food Stamps Increased sales at farmers’ markets with EBT More CSAs providing shares to low income residents More ground venison donated to food banks More fresh produce distributed by food banks to hunger relief
agencies
“Helping to Create Hunger-Free Communities”
2014 FSA Food Security Update
Strengthening SFSP in 2015: Results of the 2014 update initiated a regional
assessment of the SFSP
Goals to increase capacity and participation
Collaborate with local groups throughout the region
Focus on Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2015
Collaborative initiatives around the region: CHOW Bus (rural food and summer meal distribution)
Binghamton Farm Share, Healthy Food For All
Local fruit and vegetable distribution through regional food banks and pantries
County-based hunger coalitions and task forces: Broome County Child Hunger Task Force, Chemung Child Hunger Task Force, Cortland County Hunger Coalition, Tompkins County, Tioga County
Lessons Learned: Best Practices for SFSP Around the Region Community engagement: getting the right folks to the
table
Partnerships are essential – no one organization can do everything well
A backbone or facilitator helps to glue everything together
Plan year round – promotion, promotion, promotion!
Partners at work:
For Additional Information
Erin Summerlee, CoordinatorFood and Health Network of South
Central [email protected]
www.foodandhealthnetwork.org607-692-7669