FOOD SECURITY SUMMIT

A local food system functions like an ecosystem, a dynamic network of interconnected participants interacting with one another and their physical environments. A reliable food system can provide for a healthy diet and can be a powerful tool for increasing and improving not only food security but our environment.

The Summit brought together food system stakeholders to build trust, share stories and learn from each other.

Summit Agenda

Barriers to Food Security

Rooted in a diverse set of engagement strategies, including stakeholder interviews, online community feedback surveys, analysis of existing reports and data, and research of food coalitions and councils across Oregon - the Lane County Food Security Assessment identified the following central barriers to local food security.

  • Limited transportation

  • Pantry hours and frequency

  • Nutrition and cooking education

  • Insufficient infrastructure for local producers

  • Coordination, collaboration and communication

Strategic Recommendations

To address these barriers, augment food security and build a more resilient and sustainable local food system, the Grow Lane County Project and the emerging Food Security Coalition are uniquely positioned to support the development and implementation of the following goals

  • Expand transportation services, food pantry hours, food pantry resources, and the

    availability and awareness of other food security resources

    • Increase nutrition and cooking education and local producer support

  • • Foster coordination, collaboration & communication

  • Support community gardens

  • Invest in the development of a Food Security Coalition

  • Develop an online food security dashboard