Creating Collaborative Solutions to Food Access Concerns Among Food System Stakeholders Using the Socioecological Model

Abstract

ObjectiveThough rich in agriculture bounty, nearly one in seven households in Skagit County, Washington experience difficulty accessing healthy food. The Skagit Food for Skagit People community planning project created a common understanding of food access concerns based on listening sessions from low income consumers and coordinated collaborative working relationships among stakeholders to develop a comprehensive response.Design, Setting, Participants, and InterventionSix listening sessions were held in low-income areas of Skagit County to document food access concerns. Transcripts were analyzed for emerging themes which were graphically displayed using mind maps. Two facilitated stakeholder meetings were convened to share findings and present food security data. Using the socioecological model as the framework for discussion, stakeholders identified how their work influences and impacts each sphere - from the personal (skills, values) through policy levels (bus schedules) to identify current efforts to build upon and gaps where more work is needed.Outcome Measures and AnalysisStakeholders identified collaborative solutions to facilitate access to healthy food: establish community food hub; promote community gardening; support food banks to reduce food waste.ResultsParticipants identified how their work in the community impacts each sphere of influence within the Socioecological model. This activity demonstrated the breadth and depth of food access issues across multiple spheres of influence and identified collaborative opportunities.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe act of convening people in listening sessions and stakeholder meetings created new connections. The socioecological model anchored the discussion and generated a ripple effect which led to additional healthy food access activities outside the scope of this project. Information gathered helped to identify priorities for community health strategies and guide transportation planning.FundingNIFA ObjectiveThough rich in agriculture bounty, nearly one in seven households in Skagit County, Washington experience difficulty accessing healthy food. The Skagit Food for Skagit People community planning project created a common understanding of food access concerns based on listening sessions from low income consumers and coordinated collaborative working relationships among stakeholders to develop a comprehensive response. Though rich in agriculture bounty, nearly one in seven households in Skagit County, Washington experience difficulty accessing healthy food. The Skagit Food for Skagit People community planning project created a common understanding of food access concerns based on listening sessions from low income consumers and coordinated collaborative working relationships among stakeholders to develop a comprehensive response. Design, Setting, Participants, and InterventionSix listening sessions were held in low-income areas of Skagit County to document food access concerns. Transcripts were analyzed for emerging themes which were graphically displayed using mind maps. Two facilitated stakeholder meetings were convened to share findings and present food security data. Using the socioecological model as the framework for discussion, stakeholders identified how their work influences and impacts each sphere - from the personal (skills, values) through policy levels (bus schedules) to identify current efforts to build upon and gaps where more work is needed. Six listening sessions were held in low-income areas of Skagit County to document food access concerns. Transcripts were analyzed for emerging themes which were graphically displayed using mind maps. Two facilitated stakeholder meetings were convened to share findings and present food security data. Using the socioecological model as the framework for discussion, stakeholders identified how their work influences and impacts each sphere - from the personal (skills, values) through policy levels (bus schedules) to identify current efforts to build upon and gaps where more work is needed. Outcome Measures and AnalysisStakeholders identified collaborative solutions to facilitate access to healthy food: establish community food hub; promote community gardening; support food banks to reduce food waste. Stakeholders identified collaborative solutions to facilitate access to healthy food: establish community food hub; promote community gardening; support food banks to reduce food waste. ResultsParticipants identified how their work in the community impacts each sphere of influence within the Socioecological model. This activity demonstrated the breadth and depth of food access issues across multiple spheres of influence and identified collaborative opportunities. Participants identified how their work in the community impacts each sphere of influence within the Socioecological model. This activity demonstrated the breadth and depth of food access issues across multiple spheres of influence and identified collaborative opportunities. Conclusions and ImplicationsThe act of convening people in listening sessions and stakeholder meetings created new connections. The socioecological model anchored the discussion and generated a ripple effect which led to additional healthy food access activities outside the scope of this project. Information gathered helped to identify priorities for community health strategies and guide transportation planning. The act of convening people in listening sessions and stakeholder meetings created new connections. The socioecological model anchored the discussion and generated a ripple effect which led to additional healthy food access activities outside the scope of this project. Information gathered helped to identify priorities for community health strategies and guide transportation planning.