TRAININGS

Making Engagement Meaningful: Centering Community Perspectives in Food Systems Programs

October 29th, 3-4:15 ET

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In recent years, food system organizers have been redesigning internal structures that orient away from old ideas of decision making and transactional service, towards models of community participation. As this work unfolds, the conversation continues to explore how the unique experience of individuals living within the communities we work in can shape programs that are more responsive, more effective, and more aligned with the values of a community. This training will explore how an organization can holistically fold community members into environments of feedback, decision making, and empowerment. 

To explore this, we will highlight FoodLink, a food bank in New York, that developed and runs a community Ambassador program linked to their mobile markets. This program provides stipends for individuals at mobile sites, gathering their input on the complex needs and experiences of residents to help shape a program that more effectively meets the environment they are in. We will be joined by Flo Clemmons, as well as members of the Ambassador program, to share how they developed this model, slowly integrated it into their broader work, and the strategies and challenges they face in continuing this innovative program in a challenging funding landscape. 

There are many strategies to build this concept into your work, and we welcome your willingness to share lessons from your own communities. Whether you are beginning to think about how to reorient your organizational structure to include more community input, or you have been doing this work for years and have expertise to share, you are welcome in this space!