from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
|
|
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: |
|
|
JAFSCD article by Micaela F. Lipman (U at Buffalo), Domonique Griffin (LifeSpring Consulting, LLC), Erik Woyciesjes (RKG Associates), Gabriella Hall, and Samina Raja (U at Buffalo)
Many philanthropic efforts are focused on collective action—initiatives by a group of organizations working together. However, the degree to which collective actions succeed in achieving food equity remains uncertain. Part of the challenge may be that philanthropic programs are designed to address hunger or food insecurity, not food inequity. In comparison to food security, which is an absolute measure of food access, food equity is an expansive and relational aspiration for procedural and distributive justice in the food system. Measuring progress toward food equity requires assessing demand-side conditions (such as relative poverty levels), supply-side conditions (such as relative availability of grocery stores), and agency over decision-making in the food system (such as how people of all backgrounds are active agents in articulating, designing and actualizing their ‘food aspirations’).
In a new JAFSCD article, Equitable food value chains through collaborative action [in an inequitable landscape]: Insights from Buffalo, New York, authors Micaela F. Lipman, Domonique Griffin, Erik Woyciesjes, Gabriella Hall, and Samina Raja present initial findings from a mixed-methods case study exploring how food equity might be promoted (or restricted) using a collaborative, intersectoral, cohort-based approach in a city with pronounced structural and racial disparities. The full paper elaborates on the extent to which the Buffalo Community Food System Grant (BCFSG) program met the following tenets of community coalition action theory as expanded into the food system domain:
- strengthening a community value chain;
- building equitable relational infrastructure;
- increasing availability and affordability of nutritious and culturally preferred foods;
-
fostering structural change through job creation, entrepreneurship and job training;
- bolstering the local food system;
- addressing structural racial disparities in the food system; and
- catalyzing policy changes.
The authors are deeply grateful for the community food champions we have the joy to link arms with in this work. Thank you for your deep commitment to make Buffalo, New York, a better place for all. It is not easy but standing together we have the power to create systems change. KEY FINDINGS
Cohort-based collaborative funding that supports developing a value chain is a promising approach to addressing food inequity—but only when these cohorts disrupt racial, economic and existing power structures in the food system.
Collaborating across partners, investing in relationships across the food value chain, honoring ongoing and preceding food system work, and providing flexible funding were key nurturing factors of the cohort-based model in the BCFSG case study.
The short-term funding of the BCFSG, burden of data collection, sparse staff capacity for continued communication, and the emphasis on separate work plans for each organization posed challenges for the cohort.
Despite the interest in collective impact among philanthropic leaders (including in Buffalo), the BCFSG cohort departed from the centrality on innovation in collective impact approaches and moved toward a community coalition action theory (CCAT) model by recognizing prior work in the city and focusing on policy. While several grantees proposed new solutions to food inequity, others continued to implement existing initiatives with grant funds. Continuing what works in a community is also innovative. Building on existing initiatives allowed organizations to scale up successful projects and develop new partnerships.
The program honored and supported ongoing work, as well as created space for new ideas. This flexibility was a key strength of the program.
In many ways, the BCFSG illustrates that philanthropic organizations should look to community coalition action theory, not collective impact frameworks, as a strategy for addressing the complexity of community-rooted food projects.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
- To promote food equity, new forms of collective action, including functional relationships across the value chain, must address deeper structural imbalances in the food system, such as those resulting from structural racism.
-
Long-term funding for collaboration across the food value chain that encourages cooperation, not competition, is necessary to foster long-term change, allow relationships and collaborations to evolve, and build trust between partners.
-
The already overburdened nonprofit sector cannot restructure the food system alone. Food equity (not merely food security) needs to be on the public policy agenda.
- Those interested in collaborative approaches to food systems transformations could consider how they are catalyzing interorganizational and intersectoral cooperation.
- Although some grantees chose to work together and were self-motivated to do so, there was little incentive built into the grant for cross-organizational collaboration. A key lesson learned is that collaborative grants could be more effective if they funded organizations to work together on programming through shared initiatives.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
Interested in learning how communities can foster food equity in a collective way? Researchers at the Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab at the University at Buffalo (New York, USA) share lessons learned from the Buffalo Community Food System Grant (BCFSG) program. Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.141.019
|
Photo above: An urban farmer planting seeds in a community garden. Photo provided by the authors. |
|
|
POSITION OPENINGS FROM JAFSCD SHAREHOLDERS |
|
|
NOTE >> Deadline EXTENDED to February 10!
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.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Building Strong Retail Systems for Local Farmers and Local Food
With about one dozen farm stops now successfully up and running and several more approaching launch, we believe now is the perfect time to gather, learn from one another, share best practices, and envision the role we’d like to see farm stops play in our local food ecosystems.
Whether you operate a farm stop already, or think that you may one day want to open one in your community, our goal is to provide content useful to you as you move forward. With that in mind, we are putting together an ambitious slate of local food thought leaders, and planning a full lineup of panels on everything from fundraising and marketing, to farm relations and merchandising, while also leaving plenty of time for networking.
Speakers and panelists include Philip Ackerman-Leist, John Ikerd, Kate Krauss, Debra Tropp, Michelle Miller, Kathryn Barr, and many others. |
|
|
SUPPORT JAFSCD THROUGH YOUR LIBRARY!
|
|
|
|
If you are affiliated with a college or university and want to support JAFSCD, now is the time of year when libraries order new journal subscriptions. |
|
|
How do I know if my library already contributes? Check the list here (scroll down on the page).
Isn't JAFSCD open access and free? It is! But we are a community-supported journal. Libraries contribute to become JAFSCD Library Shareholders instead of buying a subscription — keeping JAFSCD free to all instead of buying access just for their faculty and students. Think of us as the CSA of journals!
Considering submitting a manuscript to JAFSCD? If your institution is a JAFSCD Shareholder, you benefit by having our $750 APC waived automatically.
How do I recommend JAFSCD to my library? Tell your librarian why JAFSCD is important to your work, and send them this link to learn more! |
|
|
This email is sent to you as a notification of the newest JAFSCD articles and other occasional JAFSCD news. |
|
JAFSCD is an open access, community-supported journal! Your library, program, or organization can become a shareholder to help keep JAFSCD's content available to all, regardless of their resources. We welcome anyone to become an individual shareholder; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
|
|
|
|
