This document provides information about conducting a community food systems assessment. It defines a community food systems assessment as a collaborative process that examines local food issues and assets to inform actions to make the community more food secure. The document outlines the assessment process, including forming work groups to investigate elements of local food consumption, production, resources, and outreach. It also provides an example of a community profile report and contact information for assistance.

1. Community Food Systems Assessments
Community Leadership Training
Berea, KY

3. Definition:
“A collaborative and participatory process that systematically
examines a broad range of community food issues and assets, so
as to inform change actions to make the community more food
secure"
So this is:
-A community based investigation of the local food system
-A tool for community organizing around food issues
-Findings make up a Report
-Report can include a Strategic Plan
-Strategic plan is used to advocate for policy, infrastructure
and education

4. How the Food System Affects Us
Sustainable Food System

5. What We Can Investigate

6. Elements of a Community
Food Systems Assessment

7. Community Food Systems Assessment Process
Community Education
and Outreach

8. How the Work Gets Done
Role Responsibility Time Commitment
Facilitator Organize meetings, monitor Varies according to the stage of
“Encourager” progress, liaison between research the project. This is a potentially
partners and community, help funded position.
provide necessary materials
80-160 hours per month
Steering Committee Approve and guide decisions, Meetings twice a month
monitor progress, develop goals,
assist in data collection, help 4-8 hours per month
compile a finished report
Work Group Members Develop work plans, collect data Meetings twice a month
with research partners, Analyze
data with research partners 4-8 hours per month

9. How the Work Gets Done
Steering Committee

10. Consumption:
Focus of this Group
Community and Household demographics
Incidence of hunger and food insecurity
Incidence of diet-related illnesses, and resulting mortality and
costs
Labor statistics (unemployment and under-employment, wage-
levels, types of jobs)

11. Production:
Focus of this Group
Local/regional agriculture (amounts and value of crops,
sustainability, farmland loss)
Local employment and sales, in food retail, manufacture, and
wholesale
Community food assets/resources (grocery stores, food
processing facilities, community gardens)

12. Resource Work Group
Focus of this Group
Community-based organizations involved in food issues
Local policies related to food issues (preserving agricultural land,
promoting small businesses, attracting
supermarkets)
Food and Nutrition resources and services

13. Community Outreach and Education
Focus of this Group
Media (Newspapers, blogs, Facebook, twitter, T.V., radio)
Recruiting new participants (church bulletins, fliers, community
meetings, etc. )
Food advertisements and marketing

14. The Importance of a Timeline
•Allows research partners to plan for their
semester course work
•Sets an overall goal for the group
•Provides deadlines for work group tasks
•Informs the broad community of progress
•Developing a timeline allows work groups to
prioritize for seasonal activities, community
events and deadlines

15. Available Resources and Support
Role Responsibility
Primary Research Partner (Local This group works directly with each work group. They are the
college/University, High School technical assistants for the project that live in the community.
students) Help with:
-data collection
-surveys, focus groups, interviews
-report editing
Secondary Research Partner Help collect raw data from Census
-Help analyze data
-Make maps
-Help design research plans and develop report
Community Farm Alliance -Currently serving as the facilitator
-Technical assistance
-Community organizing and leadership development -help with
policy development and implementation

16. Madison County, Kentucky
Community Profile
Demographics Madison County
Population
Population, 16 years and older (2010) 65,696
Immigrant Population: Foreign Born Persons (2006-2010) 1.1%
Age Structure
Population under 18 years of age (2010) 21.53%
Population over 65 years of age (2010) 11.24%
Income
Income: Median Household Income (2010) $41,945
Labor Force
Civilian Labor Force: Employed (2010) 60.3%
Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2010) 4.9%
Not in Labor Force (2010) 34.6%
Environmental Issues
Water Quality: Average level of ammonia average
Water Quality: Average level of nitrite-nitrogen highest
Water Quality: Average level of nitrate-nitrogen above average
Water Quality: average level of chloride below average
Water Quality: Average level of sulfate average
Water Quality: Average level of coductivity average

17. Madison County, Kentucky - Community Profile
Demographics Madison County
Food & Farming Landscape
Household food insecurity status: average (2008-2010) 15.60%
Households without vehicles: > 1 mile to grocery store (2006) 3.46%
Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch (2010) 49%
Participation of population in food & nutrition program: SNAP
(2011) 18.85%
Participation of population in food & nutrition program: WIC (2011) 3.25%
Number of Food Pantries (2012) 4
Number of Farmers (Primary Occupation) (2007) 552
Number of Farmers (Secondary Occupation) (2007) 776
Number of organic farms in KY (2012) 69
Number of Farmers Markets (2012) 2

18. The End
Contact us!
Heather Hyden: Heather@cfaky.org
Alexa Arnold: Alexa@cfaky.org
Office Phone: 502-223-3655