What the heck is this project?
Well, it's a USDA funded Action Research Project implemented by Olympic Community Action Programs (otherwise known as OlyCAP) that aims to discern the best path to create a socially equitable, ecologically sustainable local food system. That's a mouthful, hey?
It started when some of us at OlyCAP realized the extensive reliance on emergency food sources here on this beautiful Peninsula--a place rife with natural beauty and agricultural offerings. Why has emergency food become a staple in our food system? Furthermore, how can we develop localized solutions to this situation that will move beyond the band-aid approach of just keeping individuals' heads above water? And finally, are people who are struggling financially able to access nutritious food?
Involvement in local food development, and in "food sovereignty" issues in other capacities, I came to see food systems (local and global) as situated at the intersection of issues in social equity, ecological sustainability, regional economic development, public health, and probably just about any other "issue" out there.
Given OlyCAP's mission of developing a community that can sustain and support itself in health and prosperity (that's a paraphrasing of the mission statement, by the way) it seems only appropriate that this agency work toward developing the North Olympic Peninsula's local food system.
The first step is planning. In this project we will look at a number of elements of how people choose the foods they eat, and how they manage to get those foods. One piece of the puzzle is the cost and availability of foods in retail outlets. For some folks in the more remote nooks of the region, the only supermarkets are located upwards of an hour's drive away, and the only stores closer by--convenience, or small neighborhood stores, aren't able to supply foods like fresh produce or meats.
Through the use of surveys and focus group discussions, we will find out what barriers people face to accessing food: transportation to food stores, cost of food, knowledge of food preparation and food handling, or the lack of tools to cook healthy food, or other potential barriers.
We aim to determine, from the producers' end, what barriers exist that prevent them from distributing their products to a local market. Also from the production end of the food system, we would like to know what's available locally, and how much is available. This is important information not only for the consumer on a regular basis, but also in the event of an emergency.
Some estimates indicate that if the Peninsula's external food supply were cut off, say, by a natural disaster, we would have no more than three days' worth of food to feed the population, as the major grocery stores restock their supplies very frequently without creating a surplus (which makes sense). Since the local food system exists as more of a niche market in our economy, and supplies for most people only a fringe bit of color, taste, and nutrition to their regular meals, this indicates a heavy reliance on outside sources. So, potential natural disasters aside, we still must face the creeping emergency of rising fuel costs. This will impact not only the consumer driving to the grocery store, but also the store shipping the food from outside the Peninsula... a cost that will be passed along to the consumer. In five years, how much will basic foods cost?
Why a blog? I'd like to invite you, the human on the other end of wireless signals, copper cables, and satellite projections, to join in the discussion of sustainable food systems, social equity within the food system, health and nutrition, and how to nurture this wonderful community.
Also, there are myriad opportunities to get involved in this project, and I hope this blog will serve as one point of contact. For instance, I am currently looking for volunteers to help gather data. Also, we are planning to hold a summit in mid-April to pull together a diverse group of people from varying professional and personal interests, to help in identifying the most pressing needs concerning food in our community, and to collectively take action to address those needs.
If you have any questions or comments or would like to get involved, you can add comments to this blog, or contact OlyCAP. Soon, I'll post some volunteer job descriptions...
Thanks!
Gabriel
