The Appalachia Funders Network Food Systems Working Group is developing a shared vision and outcomes for the Central Appalachian sustainable food economy. Their draft vision is to develop and strengthen the local food system and well-being of residents by providing healthy foods, economic opportunities, and sustainable natural resources. The desired outcomes focus on increasing viable producers and access to healthy foods, promoting institutional purchasing of local foods, and educating consumers and policymakers on local foods and sound environmental stewardship. Feedback is requested.

1. Food Systems
Working Group:
Vision & Outcomes
The Appalachia Funders Network Food Systems Working Group
The Appalachia Funders Network Food Systems Working Group (FSWG) is currently undergoing a
process to develop a set of common principles and shared measurement systemthat could be
utilizedby Network members. A first step is defining a shared Vision Statement and Desired
Outcomes for the Central Appalachian sustainable food economy. Below, you will find a draft
version of these Vision and Outcomes developed by the FSWG.
We welcome feedback from grantmakers and practitioners who are working to build local food
systems to ensure that our vision and outcomes our aligned with other’s experiences working in this
area. Please submit your comments to appalachaiafundersnetwork@gmail.com.
Vision
To develop and strengthen the local food system and the well-being of residents in the central
Appalachian region by providing healthful foods, creating livelihood and economic development
opportunities, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
Desired Outcomes
Supply Demand Other
Increase the viability of existing Work to eliminate food deserts Promote public policies that
and transitioning producers by increasing healthful food support the local food system
access at stores, farmers
markets and other outlets
Increase opportunities for and Promote institutional Educate consumers and
numbers of new producers purchasing at schools, policymakers about the
restaurants, hospitals importance of local foods
Use data tools (surveys, Collect baseline data from Promote sound resource
extension/USDA data, USDA, extension to track stewardship for long-term farm,
economic impact studies) to purchases, set goals for community and ecosystem
support supply growth institutional purchasing, and viability
measure economic impact