Upcoming Webinars.
*Past webinars will be available for network members in the members-only section being created Fall 2024.
Webinar Series: Centring Equity in Community Food Assessments
Community food assessments are a common tool used by communities across Turtle Island/United States/Canada to learn about their food systems. The assessment process is a chance to connect community, uplift their concerns, and dig into foundational challenges across the food supply chain. Depending on who is leading the process, and what and how the data is collected and presented, an assessment may only show one perspective of the food system. For assessments to be authentic tools for transformation, the process needs to be equitable and inclusive, and it must realign power dynamics.
The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, Food Communities Network – Réseau Communautés Nourricières, and the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future’s Food Policy Networks project invite you to join us for a series of three conversations exploring how to center/centre equity in the community food assessment process.
These conversations will take participants through the process of creating a community food assessment using an equity lens, from the basics of an assessment, to foundational concepts for centering equity in the assessment process, to how to use an assessment for transformative community change.
Introduction to community food assessments
Thursday, September 19 from 1-2:30 p.m. ET, online
This initial session will cover the basics of community food assessments, from the purpose to the pieces and steps of an assessment. The session will focus on how to use systems and community development frameworks to guide and make sense of the information collected through the assessment process. Attendees will hear about examples of community food assessments from people involved in the process, such as Keesa V. Johnson representing Washtenaw County Food Policy Council, Michigan workshops by WGIFS thereafter.
Register here
Laying a foundation for equitable food assessments
Thursday, October 17 from 2-4:00 p.m. ET, online
Let’s start at the very beginning with a conversation about foundational elements for centering equity in community food assessments. Foundational elements include overarching frameworks, power dynamics, language, shared definitions and agreements, and resources. This session invites attendees to join in a conversation about what readiness looks like and what foundational elements are needed to strengthen equity in community food assessments.
Reflections from the ground on equitable community food assessments
Thursday, November 21 from 2-3:30 p.m. ET, online
Hear from the experts, those who have experienced the community food assessment process, about how to lead the process, from start to implementation, with an equity lens. Speakers will discuss the challenges of transforming a traditional assessment approach to center equity and how this transformation impacted the assessment process and results. Attendees will be invited to join in the conversation to share from their experiences about the value of using an equity lens in community food assessments.
Register here
Contact moe@justfood.ca if you have any questions.
Food Communities Network | Réseau Communautés nourricières | 2024