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Food Security Commons™

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Articles 1 - 9 of 9

Full-Text Articles in Food Security

Small Meat Processor Needs Are Similar Across Region, Jordan C. Wicks, Alexis Wivell, Thomas Archibald, David Gerrard Aug 2025

Small Meat Processor Needs Are Similar Across Region, Jordan C. Wicks, Alexis Wivell, Thomas Archibald, David Gerrard

Journal of Extension

This needs-based assessment provides insight into the challenges of small meat processors in two regions of the US. On-line surveys were provided to processors and despite regional differences, data show approximately 70% of processors in each state find retention of skilled labor the greatest challenge in maintaining current levels of operation and impede future growth. These findings suggest educational and certification programing may help improve small processor viability and mitigate local food security concerns. Given the disparity in animal production and livestock availability between these diverse states but similarity in responses, we posit this information is translatable across the US.


Promoting Equity: Embracing Food Justice In The Transformation Of The Food Systems For Bipoc Communities, Frank Yeboah Adusei Feb 2025

Promoting Equity: Embracing Food Justice In The Transformation Of The Food Systems For Bipoc Communities, Frank Yeboah Adusei

Journal of Extension

The food justice movement addresses systemic food inequities impacting BIPOC communities, rooted in civil rights and environmental justice movements. It advocates for fair access to culturally relevant food, combating food deserts, and promoting food sovereignty. Recognizing intersectionality, it emphasizes collaboration to dismantle systemic barriers. This study aims to understand BIPOC communities' challenges and effective strategies, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts for lasting systemic change. Extension professionals face challenges but can contribute through equity-focused strategies, community engagement, and partnerships, advancing food justice and fostering inclusive food systems.


Perceived Healthfulness Of The Environment Of Communities With Low Income: Focus Groups And Interviews With Extension Nutrition Educators, Elder Garcia Varela, Jamie Zeldman, Jade Mcnamara, Jesse S. Morrell, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Melissa D. Olfert, Tandalayo Kidd, Kendra Kattelmann, Geoffrey Greene, Karla P. Shelnutt Feb 2025

Perceived Healthfulness Of The Environment Of Communities With Low Income: Focus Groups And Interviews With Extension Nutrition Educators, Elder Garcia Varela, Jamie Zeldman, Jade Mcnamara, Jesse S. Morrell, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Melissa D. Olfert, Tandalayo Kidd, Kendra Kattelmann, Geoffrey Greene, Karla P. Shelnutt

Journal of Extension

This study explored Extension nutrition educators’ (NEs) perceptions of community members’ challenges and opportunities for achieving a healthy lifestyle. NEs represented various communities with low income across nine states. NEs across locations identified similar barriers (i.e., lack of access and availability of healthy and affordable foods; access to transportation; and financial insecurity) and opportunities (i.e., trustworthy and free nutrition education resources and programs; and access to food banks, food pantries, and health care professionals) that prevented or facilitated a healthful lifestyle. Future research should explore key community stakeholder and community member perceptions to guide the development of community-driven interventions.


Beyond Direct Education And Facilitation: Revisiting The Role Of Extension In Community & Regional Food Systems Development, Catie M. Demets, Lindsey Day Farnsworth Nov 2024

Beyond Direct Education And Facilitation: Revisiting The Role Of Extension In Community & Regional Food Systems Development, Catie M. Demets, Lindsey Day Farnsworth

Journal of Extension

The fundamental issues that community and regional food systems aim to address are inherently systems problems, yet many Extension programs continue to focus food system development efforts on activities and actors that directly support the food value chain. While important, the impact of these interventions is limited. Drawing from interviews with directors of four of the nation’s leading Community and Regional Food Systems Extension programs, this article makes a case for rethinking Extension’s role in community and regional food systems development in relationship to key leverage points through a typology of Extension roles and corresponding examples.


Learning Extension Through Firsthand Experiences Of Graduate Students In An Amish Community, Raul Villanueva, Yaziri Gonzalez, Izabela Gomes Sep 2024

Learning Extension Through Firsthand Experiences Of Graduate Students In An Amish Community, Raul Villanueva, Yaziri Gonzalez, Izabela Gomes

Journal of Extension

Two graduate students and a faculty member of the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky developed and implemented a two-year extension program aimed to train Amish farmers on identification and management of their major agricultural problems. Students conducted periodical visits to the community, inquired about farmers’ needs, and identified relevant issues, which were outlined to plan two field days offered in their properties. Amish farmers gained knowledge on diverse topics and were eager to receive handouts and publications. Amish were open to apply new technologies and implement them without main changes in their traditional methods of agriculture. The …


Promoting Organic Seed Systems: Directions For Extension Programming In Northeast Seed Systems, Megnot Mulugeta, Daniel Tobin, Carina V. Isbell Jun 2024

Promoting Organic Seed Systems: Directions For Extension Programming In Northeast Seed Systems, Megnot Mulugeta, Daniel Tobin, Carina V. Isbell

Journal of Extension

Despite the importance of seed availability to food and agriculture, seed systems have received scant attention within Extension research and practice. To address this gap, we designed a participatory needs assessment revolving around the 2021 Northeast Organic Seed Conference to assess individuals’ experiences within Northeastern organic seed systems and their opinions concerning their resource access, challenges, and sense of empowerment. Based on a post-conference survey, our findings suggest that Extension’s future efforts should focus on facilitating partnerships between and among community-based/non-profit seed groups, at-home gardeners, seed companies, university researchers, and legal scholars to promote equity and inclusion.


Development And Evaluation Of Impact Statements For The Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program (Efnep), Kylie Pybus, Ronald L. Gibbs Jr., Karen Franck, M. Catalina Aragón Sep 2023

Development And Evaluation Of Impact Statements For The Expanded Food And Nutrition Education Program (Efnep), Kylie Pybus, Ronald L. Gibbs Jr., Karen Franck, M. Catalina Aragón

Journal of Extension

Extension professionals often communicate program outcomes to external stakeholders using impact statements. We developed and evaluated four impact statements for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). We drafted the statements after conducting literature reviews for core content areas of EFNEP that include diet quality, food resource management, physical activity, and food safety. Subsequently, we evaluated the statements by facilitating expert panels made up of subject matter experts and communication professionals (n=14) from 12 Land-grant Universities. These impact statements aim to support EFNEP and other Extension professionals when communicating program value with key external stakeholders.


Engaging Farmers, Culinary Schools, And Communities In Value-Added Production To Strengthen Local Food Systems, Lauren B. Errickson, Ethan D. Schoolman, Virginia Quick, Sarah Davis, Anthony Capece Sep 2022

Engaging Farmers, Culinary Schools, And Communities In Value-Added Production To Strengthen Local Food Systems, Lauren B. Errickson, Ethan D. Schoolman, Virginia Quick, Sarah Davis, Anthony Capece

Journal of Extension

Value-added products can generate farm income and improve community food access, yet lack of available kitchen infrastructure and labor can limit farm production capacity. This project explored how community-based culinary schools might fill the gap. A unique “product share” model was identified and piloted, meeting the collective needs of farmers, a culinary school, and urban consumers. By researching farmer crop availability and business model preferences, and aligning value-added production with community food preferences, we demonstrate a successful pilot indicative that similar initiatives can be replicated in other metropolitan areas, with potential to engage cross-disciplinary extension professionals.


School Pantry Cook-Off: An Approach To Educate Youth On Food Insecurity, Siew Guan Lee, Gretchen Manker, Nav Ghimire, Laura Foist, Julie Buck Oct 2021

School Pantry Cook-Off: An Approach To Educate Youth On Food Insecurity, Siew Guan Lee, Gretchen Manker, Nav Ghimire, Laura Foist, Julie Buck

Journal of Extension

The “School Pantry: Mystery Food Box Cook-Off” is a program designed to increase awareness of food insecurity among youth and teach strategies to prepare healthy foods on a budget. A pre-and-post survey showed a statistically significant difference in participants’ overall knowledge, skills, and confidence level after the program compared to before the program. Findings revealed a hands-on nutrition education strategy via cook-off could educate youth on food insecurity and increase their knowledge and confidence to make healthy and affordable meals at home. Other Extension educators seeking to address food insecurity and food preparation skills among youth can replicate this program.