The document describes a collaborative project between two county health departments to assess barriers to healthy food access in 19 "food deserts" across the counties. Community members, farmers, decision-makers and food assistance agencies provided input through focus groups, surveys and interviews. This identified perceived barriers, assets and preferred solutions. A cross-county committee now plans regional solutions to maximize resources. The presentation will discuss the assessment methodology, partnership strategies, results and lessons learned from collaborating across county lines to address food insecurity.

1. Stop Guessing, Start Asking: Engaging Food Desert Residents in Multi-tiered
Assessment to Increase Access to and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables
Conference Track: Track 1 Assess and Investigate
Abstract Type: Poster Session, Workshop or sharing session?
Session Description:
Part 1: not applicable
Part 2 Program Problem Statement and Goals (100 words):
Areas with low access to healthy foods are called “Food Deserts”. Food Deserts have a
negative impact on the health of a community, leading to increased obesity levels
because junk food is more readily available than nutritious food. Currently in Manatee
and Sarasota Counties, there are 19 Food Deserts, affecting 77,583 residents.
The goals of this practice were: (1) identify the perceived barriers, assets and solutions
of residents and (2) collaborate across county-lines to maximize resources, share best
practices, and plan regional solutions.
Part 3A: Learning Objectives (Selected from a drop-down menu)
Using no more than 100 words per objective, describe how the session will meet the
selected learning objective.
Can choose up to 3 of these 4:
1. Discuss core public health assessment and investigation strategies that help local
health departments identify and address poor health outcomes.
This project utilized a community-based participatory methodology to collect
residents’ perspective on assets, barriers, and preferred interventions for healthy
food access. A combination of focus groups, key informant interviews, randomized
door-to-door surveys, recorded oral histories, and photo-voice was used to gather
input, allowing for meaningful evaluation of community needs. Collection tools were
consistent throughout all food deserts; however, results were analyzed to determine
which food access interventions were most appropriate for each food desert
community. This session will share assessment methodology details and how they
may be replicated in any community, to delve deeper into any health issue.
2. Discuss ways local health departments can build strategic alliances to implement
successful collaborations that address health threats in the community.
Following assessment, a cross-county steering committee was convened, comprised
of community residents, farmers, decision makers, and representatives from food
assistance agencies. Planning and implementation of solutions are active and

2. ongoing. Results from the cross-county assessment are being used to drive policy,
systems, and environmental change-based food access intervention planning.
Cross-county partnerships are being leveraged to maximize resources.
This session will discuss how these partnerships were developed, maintained and
leveraged to successfully address community needs.
3. Describe strategies to build capacity for delivery of appropriate risk-communication
for specific populations within their community.
4. Compare innovative ways to structure local health departments that maximize
resources to enhance service delivery to the community.
This presentation will demonstrate that a collaborative cross-county approach to food
access planning provides many opportunities: (i) the minimization of agency
workforce and budget deficits, (ii) the maximization of community engagement via
shared best practices and cross-county marketing and outreach efforts, (iii) the
maximization of community partner resources in addressing food insecurity across
county lines. Methodology, results, best practices, and lessons learned will be
presented.
Part 3B: Was a Local Health Department involved in the research/project?
If you answered yes to the question above, please describe. (50 words max)
This project was a collaboration between two local health departments, The Florida Department
of Health in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Staff in DOH-Manatee and Sarasota worked
together to develop and implement this practice, with broad and ongoing participation from
community partners.
Part 3C: Presentation Style(s)
Indicate below all styles planned for session (I ✓ off a few. Any others though?)
 Q&A
 Panel Presentation with Q&A
 Large Group Discussion
 Small Group Discussion
 Explicit Skill Instruction
 Problem Solving
 Opinion Exchange
 Case Study
 Demonstration
Part 3D: Brief Description for review to include: (250 words max)
 Process;
 Evidence of Impact;

3.  and Conclusions/Recommendations/Practical Goals.
INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION IN THE PROGRAM
Brief description of the session; for inclusion in the conference program: (max 50 words)
This presentation demonstrates the value of collaboration between local health departments in
executing a cross-county food assessment and developing regional solutions. Attendees will
learn how agencies can collaborate to minimize budgetary challenges, leverage capabilities,
and maximize resources in addressing food issues. Lessons learned and best practices will be
shared.
GENERAL PRESENTATION INFORMATION
Have you presented this session to other audiences?
 Yes
 No
If yes, please provide details below.
This session was accepted for presentation at the National Environmental Health Association’s
2015 Annual Educational Conference. Should we say something about being further along
in the process and having more to share since NEHA?
If my abstract is not chosen, I would prefer to not be preselected for a poster or possible
workshop:
 True
 False
Presenter Information: Please identify the presenter(s) for your session. All presenters MUST
be in attendance at the session. A maximum of two (2) presenters are allowed for 30 or 60-
minute sessions, and a maximum of three (3) presenters are allowed for 90-minute sessions.
Additionally, each session will require a facilitator. You may choose one of your presenters to be
the facilitator (check the appropriate presenter box below), choose your own independent
facilitator, or request one be assigned by the conference staff.
Presenter: Megan Jourdan
Florida Department of Health in Manatee County
Office (941) 748-0747 x1212
Email: Megan.Jourdan@flhealth.gov
Megan Jourdan is the Director of Public Health Practice and Policy for the Florida Department of
Health in Manatee County. Her work focuses on coalition-led policy, systems, and
environmental change in the areas of improved access to healthy foods, built environment, and
tobacco prevention; successes include the development of a Complete Streets Policy, the
implementation of a Tobacco-Free School District policy, and the execution of a cross-county

4. food assessment. Ms. Jourdan’s work has been designated as a Model Practice by the National
Association of City and County Health Officials and recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation, the Urban Land Institute, the American Public Health Association, the Society of
Public Health Educators, and the Florida Neighborhoods Association. She received her
Bachelors of Arts in 2007 from the New College of Florida.
Prior Speaking Engagements
 Presenter for the 2013 Society for Public Health Education’s 64th Annual Meeting;
session entitled “Promoting Health through Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change
in Manatee County, Florida.” (100 attendees)
 Presenter for the 2013 American Public Health Association's National Webinar, “Built
Environment Approaches for Improving Community Health." (800 attendees)
 Presenter for the 2013 Florida Neighborhoods Conference; session entitled "Community
Gardens: How Will We Grow?” (30 attendees)
 Presenter for the Urban Land Institute’s 2014 Regional Conference, “Building a Healthier
Florida.” (60 attendees)
 National Environmental Health Association’s 2015 Annual Educational Conference
 Didn’t you speak at something in TX this year too?
Presenter: Kristian Blessington
Kristian Blessington is a Community Planner with the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota
County. Kristian’s work is concentrated in the nexus between urban planning and public health.
Where he coordinates planning and public health policy development and implementation of
strategies relating to land use, the built environment, climate change and community
environmental health assessments. He has helped coordinate and been a speaker at
community forums on local health and sustainability issues such as the 9th
Annual Sustainable
Communities Workshop, and also participated in local health fairs and state-level workshops
promoting awareness of consumer driven health information. He received his Master in Public
Health and a Master of Science in Planning from Florida State University
Prior Speaking Engagements
 Presenter at 2014 9th
Annual Sarasota County Sustainable Communities Workshop;
session entitled “Manatee-Sarasota Community Food System Assessment: Linking Food
Access to Health.” (110 attendees)
 Presenter at 2014 Eat Local Week: Open Space Event; session entitled “Strengthening
our Local Foodshed: An Open Space Discussion.” (30 attendees)

5.  Presenter at 2014 CHAT Food Day Summit; session entitled “Making the Case: Food
Access, Food Deserts, and Transportation.” (25 attendees)
 National Environmental Health Association’s 2015 Annual Educational Conference
Facilitator: Erin Laird
 Application doesn’t ask for as much information on the facilitator.
 Degree: Bachelor of Science in Community Health from the University of Maryland in
College Park
 Title/Organization: Community Health Specialist, Florida Department of Health in
Manatee County
