Local Group to Assess County Food System

The Grinnell Area Local Food Alliance (GALFA) began working with the Poweshiek County Transformation Grant team to get a snap shot of various aspects of our county’s food system. A food system encompasses production, processing, distribution, retail, access and consumption, and waste management. 

The purpose is to take an objective look at the current food situation as it relates to human health and wellbeing, environmental health, social and cultural health, and economic health. GALFA volunteers will assist community transformation grant staff in researching and gathering data such as percent of children and adults who have food insecurities; number of grocery stores versus convenience stores; number of fast food restaurants vs. traditional restaurants; number of acres of orchards, farms and berry farms with harvested vegetables and fruits; number of farms marketing product through community supported agriculture; as well as many other statistics to create the snap shot.

Nearly 20 GALFA volunteers participated in the initial meetings to help define the priorities for the county. After the assessment, the team will define interventions, and explore ways to make system level changes that impact the health of the county.

“The Community Transformation Grant aims to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” says Jennifer Ness, Poweshiek County Transformation Grant coordinator. “A major portion of a healthy environment is easy access to local, sustainable food, which is why the partnership with GALFA makes sense.”

GALFA will use the data to help determine how easily area residents can access locally grown foods and how to expand the access. They can use this food assessment to help them achieve their goal.

“We believe the members of GALFA, who have a strong interest in supporting local sustainable products, will bring an excellent perspective and resources to the assessment process,” says Ness. “These local producers, growers, restaurant operators, concerned residents and Grinnell College students are working toward a sustainable food system and the transformation grant has a similar goal. It funds outreach to build healthier communities.”

The workgroup of GALFA members and Grinnell College students has been formed to help with the assessment process. Lily Taylor, GRMC dietitian, and Ness will work with the GALFA group to complete the assessment by the end of February and develop an action plan.

To learn more about the Poweshiek County food systems assessment or about the community transformation grant please contact Ness at 236-2999

The Community Transformation Grant is administered through the Iowa Department of Public Health and funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Poweshiek County is one of 25 counties in the state to receive funding to make environmental and system changes that support healthier living.