RU for Community Food Security?

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RU for Community Food Security? A Coalition Building Initiative

Table of Contents

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Project Description 3Proposal 4 Proposal Bibliography 15 Field Notes 16Relevant Material 24PowerPoint Presentation 26Final Paper 33Final Bibliography 42Budget Report 44Current Resume 45

Project Description

For my social action project funded by the Institute for Womens leadership, I organized a coalition strengthening initiative to build alliances with students and community food activists on issues related to food insecurity due to our failing agricultural system in the form of a movie screening. My event took place on Thursday, November 19th in the College Avenue Student Center. It began at 6:30pm and ended at 9:00pm. We began by introducing the problem and talking about ways to get involved. One of the goals of my project was to educate participants on Food Security in the United States using a documentary film, A Place at the Table. It is an examination of the issue of hunger in America focuses on the plight of three individuals from different parts of the country who struggle to find adequate nutrition. It specifically tackles community-based struggles and how this problem manifests differently for distinctive populations. I also outlined and explained the problem in New Brunswick, NJ. I consolidated information onto posters that provided facts and background information. The posters also highlighted community organizations working to alleviate hunger in the city. My hope was to connect and inspire students to work with organizations in New Brunswick on food security. During the event, Amy Micheal and Kelly Gugger from the Collaborative Center for Community Based Research and Service presented on opportunities for student involvement and the current progress of community organizations. In the spirit of connection and collaboration, the object of my project was to create this collective of common goaled individuals from different parts of New Brunswick, within and without Rutgers University.

Project ProposalExecutive Summary Through the commodification of food by high-modernist agriculture, the current global food system model has failed to ensure the food security of communities such as New Brunswick, NJ home to Rutgers University and the Institute for Women Leadership. As a result, the local and sustainable food movement has grown in the past 30 years, and universities, schools, and other public institutions are incorporating local and fresh foods into their cafeterias and dining services. While building volunteer capacity and organization visibility, I will attempt to spread knowledge on how community based organizations in New Brunswick tackle issues of sustainability, nutrition, and food access. In the form of a teach-in, I plan to organize a coalition building initiative to enhance alliances with students, food activists, and health advocates on issues related to food insecurity due to our agricultural system. Seeded by the IWL and occurring in Fall of 2015, I plan to organize the event at the Rutgers Student Center on College Avenue and screen the documentary, A Place at the Table. I plan to invite the Collaborative Center for Community Based Research and Service at Rutgers. From student organizations, I plan to invite Students for Environmental Awareness, SEBS Governing Council, Green Print, Slow Food/Fast Food, the Bonner Leaders and the Nutrition Club. Satisfying these highlighted needs and adding to the impact of community food organizations in New Brunswick, this project will give community food organization to ability to articulate how their projects help create change to a local audience by providing tangible resources, enhancing community knowledge, and increasing collaborative capacity to meet food needs of low income populations. Overall, enhancing the coalition between Rutgers students and community organizations would support these efforts and enhance capacity for change. My hope is to successfully mobilize a group of concerned students to join in New Brunswicks fight for community food security.Statement of NeedAccess to adequate, nutritious food is the most basic of all necessities particularly for children. Insufficient or unhealthy food not only negatively affects health, but also percolates into other areas of well being such as education, work, and consequently income sufficiency. Yet, lack of resources prevented many New Jersey residents from putting sufficient food on the table for all household members on a consistent basis. About 11.5 percent of New Jersey households were food-insecure in 2009 meaning they had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources.[footnoteRef:1] A major contributing factor to food insecurity is poverty. Like Camden, Passaic, Lakewood, Bridgeton, Atlantic City, Paterson, and Trenton, New Brunswick is one of the only places in NJ that has more than 50 percent of its residents living with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty level. 1 In New Brunswick, home to Rutgers University, 33.8 % of people live below the poverty level compared to the United States average of 10.4%.[footnoteRef:2] In 2013, the population was of New Brunswick was 55,831, which means that approximately 18,870 people living below the poverty level. 2Like all struggles, certain populations are more vulnerable to poverty. Children constitute the largest of these vulnerable groups followed by the elderly, and people with physical disabilities or mental health issues. Women of all age groups continued to experience poverty at much higher rates than men did. Overall, the female poverty rate was 10.3 percent, compared to 8.4 percent for males. Among the elderly, the poverty rate for women was 9.3 percent, while for elderly men it was 6 percent. The difference in the poverty rate for the working-age group was also significant: 9.4 percent for women compared to 6.8 percent for men. 1 While female-headed families with children, in general, were vulnerable to poverty, such families headed by racial and ethnic minorities were especially vulnerable. About 38% of families headed by Hispanic or Latino women were living below the poverty line in 2009. 1 Because they are undocumented immigrants, some Hispanic food insecure families are not eligible to receive food stamps or other forms of government assistance. These disparities are particularly apparent in New Brunswick where Hispanic families make up 49.9% percent of the population. 2Characterized by a combination of citizens lack of income and the citys smaller tax base resulting in an area that is marred by fast food restaurants and no quality supermarkets, New Brunswick can be considered a food desert.[footnoteRef:3] As a result, vulnerable populations lack access to fresh and healthy foods contributing negatively to health. To promote public health and other aspects of well-being such as education, work, and income sufficiency, community organizations are leading efforts towards food sovereignty for New Brunswick. There are currently many organizations in New Brunswick whose objectives are to meet the food needs of low-income populations, link local producers and consumers in entrepreneurial relationships, increase the food self-reliance of communities, and provide comprehensive solutions to food, agriculture, and nutrition-related problems. A soup kitchen with the premise that Food Changes Lives, Elijahs Promise, is a multi-faceted food systems organization that uses food to reduce poverty.[footnoteRef:4] Johnson & Johnson and Rutgers University Cooperative Extension run the New Brunswick Community Farmers Market (NBCFM), a community farmers market that increases access to fresh healthy food and instills healthy eating habits.[footnoteRef:5] The New Brunswick Community Food Alliance (NBCFA) strives to develop and maintain a sustainable local food system in New Brunswick that emphasizes nutrition, safe food, affordability, culturally appropriate food, and stimulates the local economy.[footnoteRef:6]One of the key characteristics of successful community food projects is the ability to build and strengthen effective community-based networks and build community food leadership.[footnoteRef:7] Besides helping create buy-in and a sense of collective ownership, strong community-based networks contribute to adaptability and sustainability.7 By continuing and strengthening a relationship between Rutgers University, New Brunswick community food projects can continue training personnel, gain requisite skills, increase available resources, and distance from grassroots pressures to conduct such research.According to an overview of food access, education, community economic development, advocacy, and research activity in New Brunswick conducted in the Fall of 2014 by Voorhees Fellow students working under Kathe Newman, one current barrier to meeting community food security needs is the lack of organizational capacity.[footnoteRef:8] As suggested by the report, recruiting and retaining more dedicated regular volunteers could increase the capacity of volunteer-based organizations. The report also suggested disseminating information about community food security resources and engaging the community on a grassroots level.8 Satisfying these highlighted needs and adding to the impact of community food organizations in New Brunswick, this project will give community food organization to ability to articulate how their projects help create change to a local audience by providing tangible resources, enhancing community knowledge, and increasing collaborative capacity to meet food needs of low income populations. Overall, enhancing the coalition between Rutgers students and community organizations would support these efforts and enhance capacity for change. Project Description and Timeline In the form of a teach-in and movie screening, I plan to organize a coalition strengthening initiative to build alliances with students and community food activists on issues related to food insecurity due to our agricultural system. The goal of the project is to increase the capacity of volunteer-based organizations, disseminate information about community food security resources and engaging the community on a grassroots level. The event will provide students networking and volunteering opportunities while educating on volunteer etiquette, community organizations, and food insecurity in New Brunswick. Ultimately, the events goal is encourage student involvement in improving New Brunswick community food security and increase the visibility of key community organizations. I plan to organize the event at the Rutgers Student Center on College Avenue (613 George Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901). I would like the event to take place in November. The event will be catered and free to the public with a suggested pre-registration. At the start of Fall semester on September 1st , I will reserve the Rutgers Student Center multipurpose room for my intended date. At this time, I will put together an email list of student organizations to invite to participate. Some of these organizations include: Nutrition Club, SEBS Governing Council, Food Corps, Veg Society, Students for Environmental Awareness, Green Print, Bonner Leaders, Rutgers Against Hunger and Slow Foods. I would also like to invite Amy Michael from the Collaborative Center to talk about How to volunteer with courteously?As October approaches, I will create promotional flyers and brochures based on speaker confirmations. The brochures will include a draft of the program agenda, list of speakers, contributors, and a few facts that reinforce the message. Most importantly, it will give contacts for volunteer opportunities or just issue related questions. During the second week of October, I will book the event with the caterer and establish a preliminary menu. I will also rent the equipment including a microphone, speakers, and hopefully a projector. Once all speakers are finalized, I will also purchase small gifts to give the speakers that include information about student organizations and their contact information. As a courtesy, I will purchase visitor-parking passes for each speaker. Referring back to my list of student organizations, I will email an invitation to participate. The email will include a link to RSVP. At this time, I will also secure a copy of the documentary I would like to show and possibly edit it if the length is excessive. In the beginning of November, I will approve final program agenda. Upon its completion, I will email the speakers the agenda and an attendance update. Also, I will put the previously prepared event signage and promotional material around student campus centers, bus stops, and academic buildings. I will also put an advertisement in the Cook Community News Letter, the Green Print, and promote the event using social media. Two weeks before the event, I will meet with caterer to discuss setup and a final menu. In addition, I will send out an event reminder to the attending organizations. One week before event, I will send the caterer a final estimate of attendees, print programs, and confirm arrangements with the venue. One day before the event, I will contact the caterer to verify all arrangements. In preparation, I will gather the printed agenda brochures, and decorations. In addition, I will post to social media regarding the event once more.

OrganizationalStructure Description A student at Rutgers University, I am majoring in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior with a Spanish minor and a certificate in Womens Leadership from the Institute for Womens Leadership (IWL). Through community service, I have personally developed skills in volunteer etiquette and made connections with many community organizations. As a Bonner Leader at the Collaborative Center serving a 300-hour yearlong AmeriCorps term, I have volunteered for the New Brunswick Community Food Alliance, Elijahs Promise, and A Better World Caf. I am also a representative for the class of 2016 on the SEBS governing council, a member of Alpha Zeta, and Co-editor of Green Print.[footnoteRef:9] At different capacities, I have worked with Students for Environmental Awareness and Take Back the Tap. These on-campus connections will help me reach my intended student audience and increase event attendance. They are also indicators of my accountability and dedication. I will be collaborating with community leaders from several community food organizations that differ in terms of their history, mission and impact. Established in 1989, Elijahs Promise is a soup kitchen with the premise that Food Changes Lives. Its mission is to end hunger, reduce poverty, promote healthy, sustainable food, empower individuals through job training and opportunity, and create businesses with social benefit. A goal for many community food organizations, Elijahs Promise is a multi-faceted food systems organization that uses food to reduce poverty. These components include Community Soup Kitchen, Promise Culinary School, Better World Cafe, A Better World Market, and Shiloh Community Garden. A community advisory group open to anyone interested in community food security in New Brunswick, The New Brunswick Community Food Alliance (NBCFA) is working to develop and maintain a sustainable local food system in New Brunswick that emphasizes nutrition, safe food, affordability, culturally appropriate food, and stimulates the local economy. The Food Alliance supports food access, knowledge and skills about healthy food choices and the food system, sustainable agriculture, and community respect, justice and dignity. Organization goals include increasing resident knowledge about food choices and how those choices affect health, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability, getting the food system and community food security on the city administration's agenda, promoting community economic development for the creation of living wage jobs and local engagement, ownership in many sectors of the food system, promoting local, sustainable agriculture and a food system that emphasizes energy efficiency and sustainability. Run by Johnson & Johnson and Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, New Brunswick Community Farmers Market (NBCFM) is a community farmers market that increases access to fresh healthy food and instills healthy eating habits. Nutrition interns and SNAP-Ed educators provide nutrition lessons and food purchasing tips. People who use federal nutrition assistance such as SNAP, WIC checks, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers can receive an additional 50% more produce through the Market Bucks program.[footnoteRef:10] Those who spend $10 receive an extra $5 in Market Bucks, which extends their food budgets and encourages the purchase of fresh produce. The market also operates a community garden in which volunteers and residents plant produce for the community (NBCFM website; Bradshaw, 2013). The link between students and community organizations is the Collaborative Center for Community Based Research and Service, which engages Rutgers students in student learning projects through the Community Research Assistant, Community Development, Bonner, and Americorp programs.[footnoteRef:11] The center strives to create opportunities to connect faculty, students and community organizations in a collaborative process that translates academic knowledge, promotes civic responsibility and leads to positive social change.Amy Michael, the Senior Program Administrator at the Collaborative, will be advising me as I plan the project. I will invite Amy Michael and another expert from the Collaborative Center to speak on volunteer etiquette and educate on opportunities to connect students and community organizations. These speakers will encourage student participation in the New Brunswick community and aid community food organizations.

EvaluationTo evaluate the success of the project, I will record attendance on a sign in sheet that asks for the guests name, email and affiliation. While incorporating students into the conversation and inspiring involvement, the proposed project will develop the communitys ability to reach food security and equity. If the event is effective and useful to both groups, it will be replicated. Therefore, its sustainability in the future or continued student organization interaction with the community will indicate success. If this became an annual event, it would successfully reinvigorate or revalidate the movement repeatedly for students. Budget Venue Student Center room reservation fee (Excluding equipment and setup charges)$160.00

Catering$200.00

Performer Hospitality Parking Passes$25.00Gifts for speakers$50.00

Promotional PrintingHandouts and fliers$40.00

Miscellaneous (decorations, name badges ect.) $15.00_________________Overall total $500.00

With a total of $500.00, the majority of the funding would go toward equipment and catering for the event. I will get catering from a caterer registered with the university. The proposed project would also require printing of promotional material such as fliers and a few posters. With the remainder of the money, I will purchase decorations. The miscellaneous fund may also be used to supplement unforeseen costs.

Conclusion Through funding my project, the Institute for Womens Leadership will help strengthen the bridge between Rutgers students and community organizations, to unify an effort toward New Brunswick food security. With $500 in funding, I will hold a community-building event, disseminate information and increase community organization capacity. My project will help support current efforts toward community food security by supporting organizations in New Brunswick whose objectives are to meet the food needs of low-income populations, link local producers and consumers in entrepreneurial relationships, increase the food self-reliance of communities, and provide comprehensive solutions to food, agriculture, and nutrition-related problems. These methods can deliver community food security which is defined as a situation in which all community residents have access to a safe, culturally acceptable, and nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes self-reliance and social justice. That description of food-based equity can one day describe New Brunswick, home to Rutgers University and the Institute for Women Leadership.

Bibliography Bellows, Anne C., and Michael W. Hamm. "U.S.-Based Community Food Security: Influences, Practice, Debate." The Journal for the Study of Food and Society 6.1 (2002): 31-44. Print.Bradshaw, J. 2014, July 29. New Brunswick Community Farmers Market, Meals on Wheels Spread Fresh Produce Throughout the City.

"Demographic Trends." census.gov. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 13 Jan. 2011.

Elijahs Promise. 2013. Homepage. http://www.elijahspromise.org. Retrieved April 2015.

"Mission/Values."Engage.rutgers.edu. Web. 1 May 2015. .

New Brunswick Community Food Alliance (NBCFA) website. http://www.nbfood.org Retrieved April 2015.

"New Brunswick Community Farmers Market."New Brunswick Community Farmers Market. 26 Mar. 2015. Web. 1 May 2015.

Newman, Kathe. "Improving Community Food Security In New Brunswick."Http://rwv.rutgers.edu/. Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement, 1 Dec. 2014. Web. 5 May 2015. .(attached)

Piasevoli, Katarina Resume (2015)

Pothukuchi, Kami. "BUILDING COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY: Lessons from Community Food Projects."Jhsph.edu. Community Food Security Coalition, 1 Oct. 2007. Web. 5 May 2015. .Poverty Benchmarks 2011: Assessing New Jerseys Progress in Combating Hunger. City: Legal Services of New Jersey, 2011. Print.

SAP Field NotesIndividual Report on Research/Project Implementation

NAME: Katarina Piasevoli

DATE: September 16, 2015

PROJECT TITLE: RU for New Brunswick Community Food Security: A Coalition Building Initiative

FACULTY ADVISOR: Amy Michael

RESEARCH ACTIVITIESName primary sources collected:Conversation with Keith Jones of NBCFA and Sarah Dixson of the community gardens

Research SummaryBased on conversations with community leaders, it is clear that volunteer capacity is in fact a major problem for New Brunswick. However, it is particularly a problem for food pantries and soup kitchens other than Elijahs Promise.

FIELD ACTIVITIES n/a

Develop a brief work plan for next two weeks:I have plans to alter major components of my project. I will meet with my advisor Friday at 10:00pm to discuss the possibility of amending the project so that it may have a greater coalition building impact. In order for the volunteer etiquette event to occur, I must book the room.

_____________________________________________________________________________________OTHER COMMENTS/INSIGHTS:What interesting insights, findings, or questions for further inquiry have emerged during the course of your project so far? What stumbling blocks or challenges have you encountered? Where is your project in relation to your original proposal and timetable?

I am struggling with the original design of my project. I want to alter the events focus to strictly volunteer etiquette and education of available organizations. I also would like to widen the scope of student group information I provide to community organizations as well as the number of said organizations.

SAP Field NotesIndividual Report on Research/Project Implementation

NAME: Katarina Piasevoli

DATE: October 1st 2015

PROJECT TITLE: RU for New Brunswick Community Food Security: A Coalition Building Initiative

FACULTY ADVISOR: Amy Michael

RESEARCH ACTIVITIESBellows, Anne C., and Michael W. Hamm. "U.S.-BASED COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY: INFLUENCES, PRACTICE, DEBATE." The Journal for the Study of Food and Society 6.1 (2002): 31-44. Print.Food Documentaries watched:Silverbush, L & Jacobson, K. (Directors). (2012). A Place at the Table [Motion Picture].Fed Up Soechtig, S. (Director). (2014). Fed up [Motion picture]. Weinstein Company.

Research SummaryThis article explains community food security, as it exists in the United States today. It highlights major political actions that have led to an increased community specific action to tackle hunger. It also frames food rights as a social issue that requires collective activism and community mobilization. This is exactly what is happening in New Brunswick with the collaboration of Rutgers, New Brunswick Community Food Alliance, Elijahs Promise, and many more. I have begun reviewing documentaries to find one suitable to discuss New Brunswick food insecurity. A Place at the Table does an amazing job. It is an examination of the issue of hunger in America focuses on the plight of three individuals from different parts of the country who struggle to find adequate nutrition. In a particularly powerful scene, it shows the succession increased food security over the promises of the last five presidents ending with President Obama and the current statistic of 50 million Americans. It explains the concept of a food desert as a place that lacks access to fresh foods and the failures of governmental assistance programs. My qualms with the piece are the focus on SNAP, which is not applicable to most New Brunswick residents and the length of 84 minutes, which is rather long. However, it does specifically tackle community based struggles and how this problem manifests differently for distinctive populations. Fed Up is actually a longer picture lasting 94 minutes. If I chose to show this piece, I would most definitely cut parts of it. Its focus is on the food consumed by the public and how it has changed nutritionally and impacted public health specifically in terms of obesity and diabetes. While I found it largely informative, its scope is too broad yet does not touch on community access. However, it does explain the food industrys continued role in this epidemic and the degradation of the food we eat. I believe sugar addiction is not commonly addressed or understood. Another problem with Fed Up is the focus on childhood experiences specifically.

FIELD ACTIVITIES

I met with Amy Michael last week to discuss possible dates for the event. She raised some considerations about the benefits of showing an informational video or documentary. I am in agreement with her regarding this suggestion. A documentary would be a nice supplement and instigate some discussion and mobility on the issue. Most likely, I will show A Place at the Table, which is available for streaming on Netflix and accurately explains community food security (the specific approach to solving food insecurity that my project focuses on).

The event date has been finalized to November 19th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm in room 411C of the College Ave Student Center. The Collaborative Center at Rutgers has graciously offered to cosponsor this event meaning they registered for the space and equipment, further limiting my expenses.

I have also drafted an email message to be sent out community members regarding my project, its relevance to the community, and my motivations behind it. I have also drafted an email to be distributed to student organizations. I plan to attend 5 meetings within the next two weeks to present on my project and inspire student attendance. This Friday I am attending a movie screening for King Corn at the George St. Co-op where I plan to inform attendees of my project and get some ideas about execution.

Develop a brief work plan for next two weeks:

In the coming two weeks my major concern shall be to create flyers and information to distribute. I will send out the emails and attend meetings to spread the word about the event. I also will create a registration system so that I will be better informed on how much food we need.

_____________________________________________________________________________________OTHER COMMENTS/INSIGHTS:My project has shifted in a variety of ways. In fact, I am considering amending my proposal. An unexpected challenge, I have molded my project to the desires of the community and the Collaboratives suggestions. However, I believe these changes will make for a more impactful final outcome.

SAP Field NotesIndividual Report on Research/Project Implementation

NAME: Katarina Piasevoli

DATE: October 14, 2015

PROJECT TITLE: RU for New Brunswick Community Food Security: A Coalition Building Initiative

FACULTY ADVISOR: Amy Michael [ & Thi - Food Team leader at Rutgers Collaborative ]

RESEARCH ACTIVITIESHernandez, D., Marshall, A., & Mineo, C. (2014). Maternal Depression Mediates the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity. Journal of Women's Health, 23, 29-37. Found in the Journal of Womens Health, this study asserts the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, and food insecurity. The researchers assess these three experiences among 1,690 socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers of young children who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study. Edwards, B., Mooney, L., & Heald, C. (2001). Who is Being Served? The Impact of Student Volunteering on Local Community Organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 444-461. Found in the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, this research investigates how local community-based and non-profit organizations benefit from cooperation with community based university learning initiatives including volunteering. They examined data from local organizations tha cooperate with a campus-based student volunteer program.Weston, R. (2015). New Jersey Fresh: Four seasons from farm to table. Charleston, SC: American Palate. I purchased this book from A Better World Caf in Highland Park. It is a signed copy and was paid for using my IWL project funding. It is a book explaining the seasonable capacity to grow produce in New Jersey, suggests healthy recipes, and includes a list of New Jersey farms and farmers markets.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Maternal Depression Mediates the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity The researchers found a few key connections between the three variables at hand. The mothers experience of IPV predicted an increased risk of household food insecurity two years later, and the relationship was mediated by maternal depression. Households in which mothers experienced IPV were at 22% greater offs of experiencing food insecurity. Households in which mothers experienced depression were twice as likely to experience food insecurity. Also, mothers who experienced IPV were less likely to be black and more likely to be Hispanic. These results are powerful proof of the link between these types of private sphere injustices. They highlight the cyclical nature of violence were women experience intimate partner violence, food violence, and presumably racism associated with being an undocumented citizen. However, this analysis is not made in the article. Rather, it ends with a call to advocacy for women who find themselves in these positions with small children for the sake of the children rather than the women. The researchers point out in the discussion section that improving the health of low-income mothers will indirectly improve the developmental needs of their children. (p.35) I felt this was a similar thought process that the WIC program uses, suggesting it is acceptable to give support to undocumented food insecure women as long as they have young children under five without nutritional security. There is something about this limited logic that bothers me. I favor the logic in the article I read last week by Anne Bellows, explained the benefits of framing the food insecurity like violence against women, as a human rights violation. She suggested using the language Food rights are human rights, adopting the feminist rhetoric used in the movement Womens rights are human rights. Therefore, we should not only help these women feed their children but themselves. I did appreciate how the researchers delve into the correlation between violence against women and food insecurity, as it is a topic that peaked my interest after the article I read last week. This study is applicable to the population of New Brunswick, NJ in which about 50% of the residents are Hispanic, some of which are undocumented immigrants and a significant number are below the poverty line. Therefore, it is useful to put in conversation with other elements of my Social Action Project.Who Is Being Served? The Impact of Student Volunteering on Local Community OrganizationsThis work is the result of many colleges in economically distressed urban areas responding to the situation around them by pursuing a variety of community-based learning initiatives. Because the majority of research to the date of this study focused exclusively on these programs impact on students, the researchers seek to determine how off campus populations benefit from cooperation with CBL initiatives. They mailed out questionnaires to 56 organizations tackling a wide variety of issues. The authors found that student volunteers constitute a substantial pool of volunteer labor for local organizations, yet they play different roles than community volunteers. Student volunteers are generally less likely to provide or help plan and coordinate services than community volunteers. Interestingly, the study also found that these findings can be offset by a unexceptional amount of training. The article also notes that student volunteers are not used exclusively for routine tasks but do often play a larger role following consistent service.

FIELD ACTIVITIESI have been working on designing materials for my project including flyers, brochures, and a poster to display on the door and inside. These elements should be well coordinated with the same format and should all include my projects sponsors, the IWL and the Collaborative Center at Rutgers.I have been in conversation with Thi, the current leader for the food team, a group of Americorps Bonner Leaders. She has continued adding me in organizing and coming up with new ideas.

Develop a brief work plan for next two weeks:Although the date and time of my project has been finalized, I cannot begin to print out my promotional materials because I have yet to solidify my guest speakers. Once this occurs in the coming weeks, I can begin to promote this event and gather registration from students. I need to do this because I have to make sure there are enough seats for everyone. It is also helpful so that I may be sure of how much food to order.

Next Friday, I will be presenting information about my project to this years Americorps Bonner Leader students at their meeting. I was invited as a returning Bonner, to do a presentation on New Brunswick food insecurity initiatives and widespread problem in the United States. I will take this opportunity to explain my event, promote it, and ask for feedback.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER COMMENTS/INSIGHTS:

In accordance with Anne Bellows ideas, I would like my project to bring victims to the forefront in political solidarity for food justice and community food security. I believe that my documentary, A Place at the Table does an amazing job at giving victims of food violence the spotlight. However, I believe it would be all the more appropriate to give a resident from New Brunswick the opportunity to speak about her struggle as a women and a victim of food violence. Ive been having trouble figuring out how to find a community member to come speak about this issue. I will do some reaching out to a variety of contacts that I have acquired though my time volunteering with Elijahs Promise and Better World Caf. Using the term victim, while it makes the subject matter must more serious and impactful, can be uncomfortable for the speaker to associate herself with. This is on the agenda for the coming weeks. I have also been dabbling with the idea of recording the voices of women in New Brunswick who are victims of food violence. I pose this question in class. However, I am a bit discouraged with the limited catering options allowed by Rutgers University. I would like the get food from Promise Catering to support the students at Elijahs Promise Culinary Institute. I am wondering if there is a way around the schools policy.

SAP Field NotesIndividual Report on Research/Project Implementation

NAME: Katarina Piasevoli

DATE: November 4, 2015

PROJECT TITLE: RU for New Brunswick Community Food Security: A Coalition Building Initiative

FACULTY ADVISOR: Amy Michael [ & Thi - Food Team leader at Rutgers Collaborative ]

RESEARCH ACTIVITIESMccullum, C., Desjardins, E., Kraak, V., Ladipo, P., & Costello, H. (2005). Evidence-based strategies to build community food security. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 105, 278-283. This article lays out a three stage continuum of evidence-based strategies and activities that applies a food systems approach to building community food security.Bhattarai, G., Duffy, P., & Raymond, J. (2005). Use of Food Pantries and Food Stamps in Low-Income Households in the United States. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 39(2), 276-298. They studied how household income, the level of food insecurity, household structure, and metro verses non-metro residence affected participation decisions in governmental assistance programs. The researchers attempt to explain the decline in food stamp use and the continued increase in private food assistance.

Research SummaryThis article lays out a three stage continuum of evidence-based strategies and activities that applies a food systems approach to building community food security. Stage 1 is initial food system change. It involves creating small but significant changes to existing food systems through identifying food quality and pricing inequities in low-income neighborhoods and educating consumers regarding both the need and the possibilities for alternative food systems. Stage 2 is called food systems in transition. It involves stabilizing and augmenting change for food systems in transition by developing social infrastructure through multi-sector partnerships and networks and fostering participatory decision making and initial policy development. Stage 3 is redesigning the food system to be sustainable. This stage involves advocacy and integrated policy instruments to redesign food systems for sustainability. During all stages, it is pivotal to include data collection, monitoring, and evaluation as key components toward community food security. Stage one relates most to the activities of my program. Written in the perspective of dietetics experts, the article highlights the importance of looking at nutritional adequacy of emergency food system. They emphasize the importance of identifying whether unequal access and pricing of food in low-income areas. The pattern of food pantry participation suggests than families with children, and those who are severely in need of food, are most likely to participate. Contrary to popular belief, their research showed that participating in one food assistance program increased the likelihood of participating in another. The researchers suggested food insecurity pushes motivated families to look for more than on possible source of food assistance. Therefore, increasing use of food pantries cannot explain the large drop in food stamp use during the latter part of the 1990s. Because alternative means of assistance are not responsible for the decline in food stamp participation, caseload decline must have a concerning effect on low-income families. They found several other reasons for lack of participation including selection bias and fear of stigma. Most relevant to New Brunswick and my project, Hispanic respondents were significantly less likely to participate in either form of food assistance. Also, being Hispanic and living in a metropolitan area had a negative effect on food pantry participation. The study attributed this finding to cultural norm in Hispanic cultures around accepting charity or lack of exposure to this type of assistance. I believe this is extremely flawed because they are discounting a major barrier: lack of legal status.

FIELD ACTIVITIES

I presented information about my project to this years Americorps Bonner Leader students at their meeting. I spoke about New Brunswick food insecurity initiatives and the widespread problem in the United States. Afterwards, I outlined my project and informed them about the date and location. It is nice to know I have a definite captive audience that fits my target population. I created the flyer and promotional material.

Develop a brief work plan for next two weeks:The first step is to email out the flyer to my target audience. I will also finalize the catering plans. Leading up to the event, I will have to edit the copy of the documentary I have to shorten it. I will also send my posters to be printed at Staples on large paper. In addition, I will print my brochure of places to volunteer in New Brunswick.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER COMMENTS/INSIGHTS:My project has altered greatly from the original mission. Unfortunately, the panel idea is not feasible within the space that I was able to secure. I will instead be showing the film and providing educational posters as well as volunteer information to the students. I am not completely disheartened by this change.

Above: Attendee interacts with poster display

\Katarina Piasevoli IWL Social Action Project Seminar Final PaperMary TriggDecember 2015 RU for a Just World? Throughout my time at the Institute for Womens Leadership as a Leadership Scholar pursuing a certificate in Womens Leadership for social change, I have been exposed to feminist leadership for social change. In a list of guidelines for feminist leadership, Alison Bernstein quotes Nan Keohanes definition of leadership as, Providing solutions of common problems or offering ideas about how to accomplish collective purposes, and mobilizing the energies of others to follow these courses of action. Womens leadership is characterized by collective purpose and action. It is important to isolate a common problem and vocalize the concerns of the community particularly when advocating for social change. (Bernstein 2014) In the case of my social action project, this problem was food insecurity in the city of New Brunswick. The groups involved are the surrounding community, community organizations, and Rutgers student organizations and researchers. Once a collective group defines the problem, it may be addressed also as a collective so that the results may be most impactful and favorable to all involved. In conjunction with the independent research I collected, we read excerpts from Leading the Way, a book edited by Mary Trigg that tells the stories of young women leaders who work for social change through activism. One of these women, Carol Mendez explains By looking for new connections, we can continue to act and organize for the causes we most believe in but apply them in new ways and in new settings. (Trigg 2010) In the spirit of connection and collaboration, the object of my project was to create this collective of common goaled individuals from different parts of New Brunswick, within and without Rutgers University. For my social action project funded by the Institute for Womens leadership, I organized a coalition strengthening initiative to build alliances with students and community food activists on issues related to food insecurity due to our failing agricultural system in the form of a movie screening. My event took place on Thursday, November 19th in the College Avenue Student Center. It began at 6:30pm and ended at 9:00pm. We began by introducing the problem and talking about ways to get involved. One of the goals of my project was to educate participants on Food Security in the United States using a documentary film, A Place at the Table. It is an examination of the issue of hunger in America focuses on the plight of three individuals from different parts of the country who struggle to find adequate nutrition. It specifically tackles community-based struggles and how this problem manifests differently for distinctive populations. (Silverbush and Jacobson 2012) I also outlined and explained the problem in New Brusilvnswick, NJ. I consolidated information onto posters that provided facts and background information. The posters also highlighted community organizations working to alleviate hunger in the city. My hope was to connect and inspire students to work with organizations in New Brunswick on food security. The culmination of the project was vastly effected by research. As I implemented my project, I have succeeded in connecting theory and practice. The assertion most central to my motivation is that access to healthy, safe and culturally relevant food is important. Found in U.S-Based Community Food Security: Influences, Practice, Debate by Bellows and Hamm, a term used to describe ideal food access is food security, which is defined as a situation in which all households have both physical and economic access to adequate food for all members and where households are not at risk of losing such access. (Bellows and Hamm 2002) Insufficient or unhealthy food not only negatively affects health, but also percolates into other areas of well being such as education, work, and consequently income sufficiency. Presently, lack of resources prevents many New Jersey residents from putting sufficient food on the table for all household members on a consistent basis. Hunger and poverty is a cycle; breaking the cycle has been a battle in the United States for a long time. In response to growing food insecurity among residence in communities all across the United States, community leaders, activists and academics have joined in on tackling the problem from a community level. Community Food Security is a movement that exists today in response to lack of governmental success in tackling hunger. Community food security (CFS) exists when all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance and social justice (Bellows and Hamm 2002) On a decentralized community scale, community food security initiatives are influenced by social systems and based on sustainability of human and natural environments. It moves the fight outside the failing legal framework. Inherently, the success of the movement relies on alliances between community organizations, academics, students, public officials, and activists. The scope of its impact is to address public health, residential well-being, and community sustainability. Providing clear definitions for these terms was central to focusing my project and preparing the audience at the event. I used these definitions for community food security and food security in my posters and during conversation. Further research on community food security framework helped me orient current initiatives in New Brunswick using an academic model. Authored by Mccullum, Desjardins, Kraak, Ladipo, and Costello, Evidence-based strategies to build community food security lays out a three stage continuum of evidence-based strategies and activities that applies a food systems approach to building community food security. Stage 1 is initial food system change. It involves creating small but significant changes to existing food systems through identifying food quality and pricing inequities in low-income neighborhoods and educating consumers regarding both the need and the possibilities for alternative food systems. Stage one relates most to the impact desired by my project. It is the stage in which many of my selected community organizations operate including, New Brunswick food pantries, soup kitchens, and the New Brunswick community farmers market (NBCFM). Stage 2, food systems in transition, involves stabilizing and augmenting change for food systems in transition by developing social infrastructure through multi-sector partnerships and networks and fostering participatory decision making and initial policy development. The New Brunswick Community Food Alliance (NBCFA) operates on this level, advocating for and connecting activists and organizations throughout the city. With the mission that everyone eats, Elijahs Promise provides resources that empower victims, including education, emergency food, and networking. Stage 3 is redesigning the food system to be sustainable. During all stages, it is pivotal to include data collection, monitoring, and evaluation as key components toward community food security. (Mccullum, Desjardins, Kraak, Ladipo, and Costello 2005) In New Brunswick, the Collaborative Center for Community based Research and Service performs many of these duties, providing research for community organizations and concerns. Written in the perspective of dietetics experts, the article highlights the importance of looking at nutritional adequacy of emergency food system. Characteristic of New Brunswick, they emphasize the concern with unequal access and pricing of food that exists in low-income areas. By applying this model to the citys food activist organizations, I was able to understand the capacity and goals of each group from an academic interpretation. With the intent of incorporating feminist ideologies to my project, I researched how feminist frameworks can be applied to food activism. In an article entitled Exposing violences: Using women's human rights theory to reconceptualize food rights, Anne Bellows illuminates how efforts dedicated on behalf of a human right to food can benefit from the theoretical analysis and activist work of the international Women's Rights are Human Rights (WRHR) movement. (Bellows 2003) In comparing womens rights to food rights, Bellows explains, Both cope with bodily violences that are socially privatized and spatially segregated from public institutions of relief, that is, they are tacitly omitted from public discourse and purview. Most typically, but not exclusively, these violences unfold in private household space. (Bellows 2003) Similar to domestic violence, food violence, which is hunger, malnutrition, and poisoning from environmental mismanagement, is characterized by a hidden deprivation of food that is often combined with physical and political isolation. (Bellows 2003). In the case of hunger, private affects the public because the effects of hunger permeate to other parts of life such as economic and social standing. In reference to the labor of women as pivotal in feeding the nation, violence against women and food related violences include an intersection of subjects who are instrumental to household food security, yet whose work is spatially segregated in the private sphere and politically and economically devalued. (Bellows 2003) Therefore, the feminist theory of intersectionality in power relations is integral in identifying the problem as multiple social components combine to define problems in access to food rights. As Charlotte Bunch brought forward witnesses to abuse and empowered victims to describe their needs based on their experiences, Bellows suggests the food movement should bring victims to the forefront in political solidarity. (Bellows 2003) Therefore, giving a voice to the victims of food violence was an important aspect of my project. To incorporate this finding, I chose to show the documentary film, A Place at the Table. Through an examination of the issue of hunger in America, the film successfully gives voices to the victims of food violence focusing on the plight of three individuals from different parts of the country who struggle to find adequate nutrition. (Silverbush and Jacobson 2012) Like the womens rights are human rights movement, Community Food Security as a whole is an attempt to bring these voices to light, empower individuals, and ask them to join in the conversation. I felt this needed to be reflected in my project. Validating the correlation, some of my research further illuminated the connection between womens rights and food rights. In their 2014 study, Maternal Depression Mediates the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity, Hernandez, Marshall and Mineo assert the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, and food insecurity. The researchers assess these three experiences among 1,690 socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers of young children who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study. The researchers found a few key connections between the three variables at hand. Households in which mothers experienced IPV were 22% more likely to be experiencing food insecurity. Households in which mothers experienced depression were twice as likely to be experiencing food insecurity. Also, mothers who experienced IPV were less likely to be black and more likely to be Hispanic. (Hernandez, Marshall and Mineo 2014) These findings are applicable to the population of New Brunswick, NJ in which about 50% of the residents are Hispanic, some of which are undocumented immigrants and a significant number are below the poverty line. As discussed in Anne Bellows article, these results are also powerful proof of the link between these types of private sphere injustices. They highlight the cyclical nature of violence were women experience intimate partner violence, food violence, and presumably racism associated with being an undocumented citizen. In their article, Use of Food Pantries and Food Stamps in Low-Income Households in the United States, Bhattarai, Duffy and Raymond attempted to explain the decline in food stamp use and the continued increase in private food assistance. Most relevant to New Brunswick and my project, Hispanic respondents were significantly less likely to participate in either form of food assistance. Also, being Hispanic and living in a metropolitan area had a negative effect on food pantry participation. (Bhattarai, Duffy and Raymond 2005) Reflecting these findings, my project would have to identify the intersections of violations that victims of food violence may be facing including racial and gender based discrimination. Feminist leadership considers dynamics of power and intersectionality, including issues of gender, race, social class, sexuality, age, and ability. In addition, leaders are held accountable to promote intergenerational and intersectional exchange. (Bernstein 2014) These concepts are principle to defining a problem, recruiting a team, and communicating during all stages of leadership. They were also principle to my project. In her chapter Navigating identity politics in activism, Allison Attenello says Empowerment is both an act of leadership and a way to create sustained and informed direction for future generations. It can help us see beyond narrow analytic frameworks and remain engaged in activist pursuits. When we commit to developing others, we act as informed, compassionate, and effective feminists and activists who are dedicated to sustainable social change. (Trigg 2010) I wanted to empower students to work with community organizations made up of people from other generations and community members who may speak different languages. Therefore, the impact of my project relied on the inspired participation of Rutgers students as volunteers or researches. Consequently, I researched the impact of student volunteers on community organization success. Found in the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Who is Being Served? The Impact of Student Volunteering on Local Community Organizations is research that investigates how local community-based and non-profit organizations benefit from cooperation with community based university learning initiatives including volunteering. They examined data from local organizations that cooperate with a campus-based student volunteer program. (Edwards, Mooney and Heald 2001) The researches found students were more likely to take on organizing, leadership and activism roles within a community organization after education and understanding of the issue. Therefore, my project had to disseminate information about the issue of food insecurity nationally and locally to increase the quality of contributions by the students who attended my events. Empowerment often relies on equipping people with the knowledge of how and why to act. In the spirit of connection and collaboration, the object of my project was to create this collective of common goaled individuals from different parts of New Brunswick, within and without Rutgers University. In addition to the book Leading the Way, the research I compiled on volunteering, feminism, leadership, food security, and more helped me frame my project so that it may have the most desirable impact and fall in line with feminist ideologies. In Leading the Way, Carol Mendez asserts that those of us who are committed to empowering our communities can make the differenceno matter what our life stages or physical locationsso that one day we can all live in a world of justice, freedom, and equality. (Trigg 2010) Equal access to healthy, safe and culturally relevant food is vital to the creation of a just world. Regardless of my young age and qualifications, I hope that I have succeeding in mobilizing a group of concerned students to join in New Brunswicks fight for community food security.

BibliographyBellows, A. (2003). Exposing violences: Using women's human rights theory to reconceptualize food rights. Journal Of Agricultural And Environmental Ethics, 16(3), 249-279.

Bellows, Anne C., and Michael W. Hamm. " U.S-Based Community Food Security: Influences, Practice, Debate." The Journal for the Study of Food and Society 6.1 (2002): 31-44. Print.

Bernstein, A. (2014, May ). Introduction to the Guidelines for Feminist Leadership Studies. Rutgers Institute for Women's Leadership.

Bhattarai, G., Duffy, P., & Raymond, J. (2005). Use of Food Pantries and Food Stamps in Low-Income Households in the United States. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 39(2), 276-298.

Edwards, B., Mooney, L., & Heald, C. (2001). Who is Being Served? The Impact of Student Volunteering on Local Community Organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 444-461.

Hernandez, D., Marshall, A., & Mineo, C. (2014). Maternal Depression Mediates the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity. Journal of Women's Health, 23, 29-37.

Mary K. Trigg, ed., Leading the Way: Young Womens Activism for Social Change (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2010). ISBN 0813546850, 9780813546858

Mccullum, C., Desjardins, E., Kraak, V., Ladipo, P., & Costello, H. (2005). Evidence-based strategies to build community food security. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 105, 278-283.

Silverbush, L & Jacobson, K. (Directors). (2012). A Place at the Table [Motion Picture].

Final Bibliography

Bellows, A. (2003). Exposing violences: Using women's human rights theory to reconceptualize food rights. Journal Of Agricultural And Environmental Ethics, 16(3), 249-279.

Bellows, Anne C., and Michael W. Hamm. " U.S-Based Community Food Security: Influences, Practice, Debate." The Journal for the Study of Food and Society 6.1 (2002): 31-44. Print.

Bernstein, A. (2014, May ). Introduction to the Guidelines for Feminist Leadership Studies. Rutgers Institute for Women's Leadership.

Bhattarai, G., Duffy, P., & Raymond, J. (2005). Use of Food Pantries and Food Stamps in Low-Income Households in the United States. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 39(2), 276-298.

"Demographic Trends." census.gov. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 13 Jan. 2011.

Edwards, B., Mooney, L., & Heald, C. (2001). Who is Being Served? The Impact of Student Volunteering on Local Community Organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 444-461.

Elijahs Promise. 2013. Homepage. http://www.elijahspromise.org. Retrieved April 2015.

Hernandez, D., Marshall, A., & Mineo, C. (2014). Maternal Depression Mediates the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity. Journal of Women's Health, 23, 29-37.

Mary K. Trigg, ed., Leading the Way: Young Womens Activism for Social Change (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2010). ISBN 0813546850, 9780813546858

Mccullum, C., Desjardins, E., Kraak, V., Ladipo, P., & Costello, H. (2005). Evidence-based strategies to build community food security. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 105, 278-283.

New Brunswick Community Food Alliance (NBCFA) website. http://www.nbfood.org Retrieved April 2015.

"New Brunswick Community Farmers Market."New Brunswick Community Farmers Market. 26 Mar. 2015. Web. 1 May 2015.

Newman, Kathe. "Improving Community Food Security In New Brunswick."Http://rwv.rutgers.edu/. Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement, 1 Dec. 2014. Web. 5 May 2015

Pothukuchi, Kami. "BUILDING COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY: Lessons from Community Food Projects."Jhsph.edu. Community Food Security Coalition, 1 Oct. 2007. Web. 5 May 2015. (See attached)

Silverbush, L & Jacobson, K. (Directors). (2012). A Place at the Table [Motion Picture].

Final Budget Report

Leadership Scholars Program Social Action Project Budget and Expense Tracking Semester: Fall 2015

Expense Description Budget for ExpenseSupplierMethod of PaymentDate of Payment Amount

Catering $300Gelandas Cash11/19/15273.75

Space$0Rutgers Student Center n/a0

Equiptment (projector, display stands, speakers) $100Rutgers Student Center Credit Card 12/1/15145

Research Literature/Books$50Elijah's Promise/Amazon Cash10/21/1532

Printing (large posters and sinage) $20StaplesCash11/15/1520

Gifts for Speakers $30Target Credit Card 11/20/1529.25

TOTAL: $500.00

Balance for IWL:0