Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi, has a rich history of sustainable food production and Native Hawaiian innovation. While many of these practices continue to […]
When we discuss using food to prevent, treat, or manage health conditions, two phrases dominate the conversation: “food is medicine” and “food as medicine.” While they might seem interchangeable, their […]
Food Clubs, member-based grocery stores designed to enhance food security, are reimagining the traditional grocery store model to address multiple challenges in our food system while emphasizing consumer choice and […]
The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund is a result of funding Congress allocated as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. This program will […]
Food insecurity is the inability of citizens to have reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. It is present in every county in the United States. The solutions range from […]
Faith in Place empowers people of diverse faiths and spiritualities to be leaders in advancing environmental and racial justice, providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. The […]
Gleaning is simply the act of collecting excess fresh foods from farms, gardens, farmers markets, grocers, restaurants, or any other source to provide them to those in need. In ancient […]
Manchester is the most populous city in New Hampshire and northern New England (which includes Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont). As of the 2020 census, it had a population of […]
In 2021, the City of Cedar Rapids Iowa developed a Community Climate Action Plan that envisions a resilient and accessible city where all residents can access high-quality green space, healthy […]
Over the past several years, scholars in planning and public health have increasingly called attention to inequities in the food system. One recent article that caused us to reflect on […]
In 2021, the Whatcom County Food System Committee conducted a community food assessment that pointed to key opportunities to build a more robust and resilient regional food system. New Venture Advisors partnered with Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee to draft a Whatcom County Food System Plan that builds upon these findings. This Plan focuses on five key goals for building a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system, and was informed by an inclusive community engagement process. The Food System Plan will provide the county with a policy roadmap that will strengthen the local food system for years to come. (2023)
The Whatcom Community Foundation invests in activities and organizations that improve the ability of people to help themselves, increase connections among people, and take cooperative approaches to community issues. WCF is exploring the development of a local food campus on a waterfront property that would become a multi-tenant site, anchored by a collaborative production kitchen benefitting food access, school system, and community organizations. The goal is strengthening Whatcom County’s local food system by promoting health equity, forging tangible strategic connections between food production organizations, and helping farmers connect with institutional markets. The facility will also feature an incubation kitchen, demonstration kitchen, event and classroom space, collaborative office and conference facilities, and housing. New Venture Advisors developed the business case for this ambitious project and continues to support its development through engagement and operational development. (2023)