from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our six JAFSCD Partners: |
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JAFSCD peer-reviewed article by Moses Timbiti Wanyakha, Nancy Grudens-Schuck, and Ann M. Oberhauser (all at Iowa State U) |
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Food donation programs and charitable food organizations provide critical fresh produce donations to food pantries to address unmet nutritional needs; this is particularly true in times of public crisis such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Without these emergency food systems, millions of Americans would go hungry—potentially leading to a rise in chronic diet-related diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions. Distribution methods, however, widely vary due to the inconsistent nature of volunteer-based, grant-supported programming as well as fluctuations in garden harvests.
In a new JAFSCD article, Growing together or growing apart? A study of a food donation community garden program during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wanyakha, Grudens-Schuck, and Oberhauser present initial findings on how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Master Gardener efforts to grow and donate fresh produce to food pantries in the Midwest. The Growing Together Program funds Master Gardeners to establish community donation gardens to increase the nutritional profile of Iowa food pantry inventory and thus to improve the diet of patrons. The researchers examined Master Gardener survey data from the Growing Together Program at Iowa State University to assess the impact of COVID-19 on their production and provision of fresh produce to Iowa food pantries.
KEY FINDINGS
Labor hours during the pandemic years of 2020–2021 decreased significantly. Quantities of fresh produce donated to food pantries also declined during the pandemic period.
Volunteer shortages, donation inconsistency, and exclusionary practices of the community appeared to be inherent to the concept and structure of volunteer-based food donation partnership programs.
Despite the overall decrease, volunteers did not disappear altogether. A number of volunteers did continue to participate, especially those with a strong service conviction about the program.
More should be done to improve the nutrition environment at food pantries—particularly during times of public crisis.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
This study points to the importance of food organizations having contingency plans to mitigate challenging circumstances, such as public health emergencies like COVID-19. One example of this is contingency financing (i.e., allocated program savings) structured into the budget, which could allow for adjustment to dynamic circumstances. Such funding could support the purchase of, for example, power tools to make gardening with fewer volunteers more efficient. Had this been the case with the Growing Together donation gardens, it could have resolved the issue of social distancing.
Youth recruitment could also support gardening, harvesting, and distribution; this could be done as summer programming, as part of formal education, or as a community service opportunity. Fresh produce donation programs reliant solely on retirees could implement financial or in-kind incentives to attract underemployed rural young adults to community gardening. A broader volunteer base could result in higher yield and more consistent deliverables.
It is important to revisit the framework of the community garden itself, to interrogate what is meant by “community,” and to reconsider the role patrons play (or do not play) in the cultivation of fresh produce in the gardens as well as in the programming generally.
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A new study by Iowa State University researchers suggests that while community donation gardens serve as a critical nutritional safety net for Iowans, particularly during times of public crisis such as COVID-19, more attention is needed to ensure that their operational model is financially sustainable, democratically governed, and socially inclusive enough to provide reliable, accessible donations to food pantry patrons.
Read the @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.141.012
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In a new JAFSCD commentary, Policy implications for nutritional health and food security among transgender and gender-diverse individuals in the United States, Heather Schier, PhD, and Carolyn Gunther, PhD, RD, provide nutrition professionals—such as dietitians, public health nutritionists, healthcare providers, and policymakers—with insight into the nutritional health challenges faced by transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals.
The commentary examines the downstream effects of current and proposed policies on TGD populations' nutritional well-being and highlights the need for inclusive policy reforms. Additionally, the commentary identifies actionable opportunities to enhance resource access and support equitable nutrition practices for these communities.
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Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals face unique challenges when it comes to nutrition and food security—and policies can make or break their access to vital resources.
In a new JAFSCD commentary, researchers from Appalachian State University and The Ohio State University examine the implications of current and proposed policies on the nutritional health of TGD communities. We also offer practical solutions and advocate for inclusive policy reforms that ensure better access to nutrition and healthcare resources for all.
Read the JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.141.023 #FoodSecurity #TransgenderHealth #InclusivePolicy #NutritionForAll #HealthEquity #TGDHealth #PublicHealth #FoodIsMedicine |
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Photo above: A Rochester, NY, farmers market. Photo by Amy Christian. |
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POSITION OPENINGS FROM JAFSCD SHAREHOLDERS |
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The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky (TFC) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct applied research on value chain coordination (VCC) in local and regional food systems. This is a unique and high-impact postdoctoral researcher position, created in partnership with TFC, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local and Regional Foods Division (LRFD), and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD). The postdoctoral researcher will lead a novel multi-institution research initiative that results in scholarly publications, stakeholder-facing technical assistance resources, and policy recommendations at local, regional, and national scales.
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CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
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The successful candidate will develop and lead externally funded research and extension programs that support and strengthen the viability of the New Jersey agricultural sector and individual farms. Through active engagement with the agricultural community, the Specialist will identify existing and emerging opportunities and needs, conduct applied research to assess what technical assistance and policies would help farmers take advantage of these opportunities, and provide educational outreach in the agricultural community across different scales of operation, commodities, and production systems.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
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The Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences (FYCS)
Postdoc Research Associate: Food Systems |
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The Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences (FYCS) at the University of Florida invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to collaborate on community food systems research projects as a part of the Community Food Systems Lab. This role will support and lead research projects focusing on connecting local food producers with new market opportunities, identifying strategies to develop community food system resilience and sustainability, and evaluating social and ethical considerations related to emerging agricultural practices and technologies. This is a full-time, grant-funded, 12-month position with full benefits.
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CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
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| The Department of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology, and Education (AESE) Extension Program Specialist |
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The Department of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology, and Education (AESE) at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking candidates for an Extension Program Specialist who will conduct Extension programs, develop enterprise budgets, and create and update publications for the Penn State “Ag Alternative” series. The role includes supporting research projects and offering expert advice on risk management. The candidate will effectively build solid connections with stakeholders and their organizations. This position requires a master’s degree plus three years of relevant experience or equivalent work experience.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
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