1. Making the case to communities &
foundations
A Food Systems Approach to Hunger
Liz Sheehan Castro
Project Manager, Hunger-Free & Healthy
Worcester Food & Active Living Policy Council
Worcester, MA
2. Agenda
Introduction
The Concept – hunger & community food
security
Hunger-Free & Healthy as a case study
Working with foundations and funders
Wrap-up & Questions
4. Community Food Security (CFS)
Community food security is a condition
in which all community residents
obtain a safe, culturally acceptable,
nutritionally adequate diet through a
sustainable food system that
maximizes community self-reliance and
social justice.
--Mike Hamm and Anne Bellows
5. Low Income Food Needs
Broad Goals
Community focus
Self-reliance/empowerment
Local agriculture
Systems-oriented
Six Principles of CFS
6. Hunger-Free & Healthy: A Case Study
Origins: Summer Feeding Project Success
Funder: Health Foundation of Central MA
Timeline: 2007-2012
Purpose: Hunger as a Public Health Issue
8. Project Components: Systems & Behavior
Collaboration
Communication
Sustainability
School Meals
SNAP
Cooking
Classes
Gardening
Farmers
Markets
Policy
Advocacy
9. School Meals
Reach: 2/3 of meals eaten in schools
Need: 70% free and reduced
Success:
16 schools have breakfast in the classroom
Whole grain, fresh and local fruits & veggies
Farm to School
10 Get Fresh, Get Local programs
No high fructose corn syrup in milk
Wellness Policy
School Nutrition legislation
10. SNAP
Need: only 49% of eligible households participated in
2004
Success (as of 2011)
30 sites throughout city
200 new Worcester families on SNAP
Minimum of $253,000 in benefits secured
80% of applicants would not have applied without
mobile advocacy and assistance
In MA 77% eligible are participating
Secured ongoing funding for outreach
11.
12.
13. Cooking Classes
Share Our Strength Cooking Matters
Need: Cultural of convenience = lack of cooking skills
Success:
115 adults and 15 youth graduated between 2008-
2011. Classes maintained a 73% graduation rate.
73% are eating more vegetables
62% are eating more fruits
80% are eating more whole grains
47% are eating more low-fat or fat-free dairy
49% are eating more lean meats
90% improved their cooking skills
14.
15. Educational Gardens
Need: Students have little connection to where their food
comes from
Success:
Since 2010, 20 new gardens established in elementary,
middle and high schools.
Teachers and principals report high usage of garden.
Has promoted cross-subject integration: health,
woodworking, math, writing, community service, life skills.
Secured 3-years of Americorps VISTA support for dedicated
staff.
Working on curriculum development.
16.
17. Farmers’ Market
Need: No markets in low-income
neighborhoods; none accepted SNAP, all
mid-day, midweek
Success:
Main South Farmers Market has 300-500
weekly attendees
Continued growth of sales and attendees.
Over 40% sales to low-income (SNAP/WIC/SC)
Successful Mobile Market launched in 2012
20. Policy Advocacy
Need: Sustainable Change
Success:
School Nutrition Bill (MA)
MA Food Policy Council
SNAP Budget Increase (MA)
Wellness Policy (Worcester)
Relationships with local, state, fed.
officials
21. Sustainability
Coalition and relationships
Regional Environmental Council
Farmers’ Markets, Cooking Classes, School
Gardens
Project Bread, WCFB, DTA & SNAP
Diversified funding due to early successes
Continued advocacy
22. Funding
Keys to Success
Choose the right funders
Make the case with data
Build relationships
Good writing
Follow directions
Budget
Confidence
23. Get involved! Stay in touch!
Liz Sheehan Castro
hungerfree@worcesterfoodpolicy.org
508-723-4550
http://worcesterfoodandactiveliving.wordpress.com
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