Presented at Wisconsin Land Information Association Conference 2011 Madison, WI Shows how technological innovation, thematic networks and spaces of engagement can improve relations within the food distribution network

1. Strengthening the Food Web through PPGIS Technological Applications, Scaled Networks and Spaces of Engagement By Mark Caldwell, UWM

2. Outline Position of Researcher What are the components of a “food web”? How can Public Participatory (PPGIS) strengthen this web? 1. Technological Applications 2. Scaled Networks 3. Spaces of Engagement Implications for Future Research

3. Position of Researcher Masters Student in GIS and Sociology at UWM Thesis research focuses on food distribution systems associated with racial composition and poverty concentration Work history with Growing Power, Hunger Task Force, SHARE, Inc. and Urban Ecology Center Currently working with Milwaukee Food Council to strategically plan for new provisional food locations Ravens Haven- my urban garden

4. What are the components of a “food web”? A Healthy Food System?

5. How can Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) strengthen this web? “Public Participation GIS facilitates citizen-participation action by generating a range of grassroots, inner-city neighborhood based citizen groups.” -R. Ghose This allows marginalized citizens to reshape urban spaces by participating in work conducted by GIS data institutes Copyright Wansoo IM

6. How can Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) strengthen this web? Copyright Wansoo IM

8. Google Earth

9. Data Warehouses

10. Internet Links

11. USDA/Census

12. Community Analyst

13. Thematic

14. Territorial

15. Embedded Actors

16. Council Meetings

17. Farmers Markets

18. Urban Gardens

20. Technological Innovation: Information

21. Technological Innovation: Data Collation

22. Scaled Networks: Territorial Scaled Networks: Thematic Copyright R. Ghose

23. Scaled Networks: Embedded Actors “Through the “strength of weak ties’, actors can avail of the job opportunities not through direct contact but through a flow information via various networks in which they are embedded.” R. Ghose, Politics of Scale and Networks of Association in PPGIS

24. Spaces of Engagement Minutes from Milwaukee Food Council Meeting In attendance representatives from 13 distinct non-profit organizations Information about grants, collaborations and current projects are disseminated back to non-profit locations

25. Future Areas of Research: Data Interpolation

26. Conclusions Increases data exchange across network of organizations Improves communication amongst embedded actors Enhances strategic planning for future projects Provides research basis for grants and funding Digital divide and Internet software education Data warehouses cannot integrate information Research limited based on external funding Networks not integrated; comparing apples to oranges PROS CONS

27. Thank you for attendingQuestions or Comments? Mark Caldwell MA in Sociology and GIS mac4@uwm.edu http://gis.sarup.uwm.edu/MAC4