Food System Assessment
Food System Assessments (FSAs), sometimes referred to as Community Food Assessments (CFAs), evaluate the local food value chain, from inputs to agricultural production, distribution, processing, wholesale purchasing, consumption, waste management and the myriad of strategies and services that support the supply chain – such as marketing and branding, technical assistance and funding.
While many of our projects are focused on evaluating the viability of a specific enterprise idea or strategy, FSAs are conducted in the early stage of food systems planning and typically have no specific vision or strategy in mind. They help stakeholders fully understand the landscape, identify gaps and challenges across the value chain, and surface a variety of strategies to consider – ranging from new businesses to policy changes.
Our FSA projects often include two primary phases:
- Community organization: Great change can begin with a few individuals at work in their communities to plan and galvanize support for food systems development. We assist at this earliest stage by helping to form effective coalitions, conduct outreach to the broader community, build strategies and action plans for economic development and approach granting agencies for funding.
- Opportunity identification: Through an initial environmental assessment, which includes meetings with all stakeholders and potential project partners and secondary research, we begin to understand barriers and opportunities in the food system and determine potential strategies to address them. These strategies may shape the focus of a Feasibility Study which often follows an FSA when specific enterprise or programmatic solutions are identified.
New Venture Advisors works with clients to customize our FSAs by developing research instruments that align with your unique regional context. Our approach is to put forth insights, but more importantly, to recommend a concrete action plan of next steps.
About Us
New Venture Advisors is a team of business consultants specializing in local food system planning and new enterprise development.
Food System Assessment Projects
Learn how we have helped our clients with Food System Assessments below.
Northern Arizona Food System Assessment
Flagstaff, AZ
The City of Flagstaff is leading a three-year food system planning effort that culminates with a regional Food Action Plan. The Flagstaff Sustainability Office is working with New Venture Advisors on the first step in this process – a comprehensive food system assessment for the five northern counties near Flagstaff examining all sectors of the food system from production to disposing and composting. The assessment will use a mix of research methods to tell a complete story of the food system in Northern Arizona and lay the foundation for community conversations in step two and the resulting Food Action Plan. (2024)
Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment & Action Plan
Medford, OR
The Rogue Valley Food System Network and its partners have been working for several years to identify current assets and gaps in the food system. They aim to address several areas of opportunity: 1) to increase food security and access in limited resource communities, 2) to stabilize production growth by identifying land and infrastructure access and marketing gaps, and 3) to support community outreach and education about food systems impacts. The result will be a Community Food Assessment and Food Action Plan containing the network’s strategic directions for the next decade. New Venture Advisors is assisting the network in completing the assessment and plan. (2024)
Northwest Indiana Community Food Access Plan
Crown Point, IN
The NWI Food Council is undertaking a community-driven food planning process across a 7-county region that aims to support farmers’ livelihoods, increase residents’ access to healthy food, and build a more resilient local food system in northwest Indiana. New Venture Advisors is completing the assessment and will use the findings to inform a Community Food Access Plan with specific policy and program recommendations. This is being done in sync with the statewide Indiana Food Charter also being finalized by New Venture Advisors. (2024)
Kane County Livestock Market Assessment
Geneva, IL
Livestock farmers in Kane County depend upon access to markets that provide consistent demand for their products and allow them to maintain profitability. Many of these operators have faced market challenges that preceded the COVID-19 pandemic, including access to processing facilities and impacts of the accelerating trend of farm consolidation. The County of Kane is pursuing an agricultural market assessment for livestock products grown and sold within the region. The Assessment will be a tool to provide actionable data and guidance for local livestock operators to pursue untapped market opportunities. It will also be a supplemental resource for distributors, processors, aggregators, and other local livestock value chain participants, as well as food system policymakers. (2024)
Kent County Food System Planning
Grand Rapids, MI
The Kent County Food Policy Council based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is embarking on a food planning process to identify the key areas in which policy activity can advance a thriving good food system in Kent County. The planning process will include a regional Food System Assessment, a Food Policy Assessment for Kent County and the City of Grand Rapids, and a Food System Plan. The Plan will be based on input from residents in areas such as food recovery, food access, local agriculture, school food and nutrition education in schools, farm worker and migrant labor priorities, processing and distributing needs of Kent County, farmland preservation, and living wage strategy. New Venture Advisors is assisting the Council in leading this comprehensive food planning process. (2024)
Southwest Kansas Food System Assessment
Kansas City, KS
The Kansas Food Action Network is a statewide network of local food, farm and policy councils that advocate for local, state and national policies for more equitable access to healthy, affordable foods. KFAN and local partners sought to assess the local food environments across 14 counties in Southwest Kansas, a diverse and high-need region. Nowhere in the state are food and health inequities more evident. To guide policy and program investments that address these issues, New Venture Advisors conducted a comprehensive food system assessment to identify challenges and prioritize solutions, informed by roundtables and interviews with Southwest Kansas residents. The assessment identifies the barriers of, challenges to, and opportunities for equitable healthy food access and lays a strong foundation for food system policy work in this region. (2024)
San Luis Valley Community Food Assessment
Alamosa, CO
The mission of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition (SLVLFC) is to foster an equitable local food system that restores the health of the people, community, economy, and ecosystem in the San Luis Valley. It began as a grassroots gathering of farmers and cross-sector partners who came together to start developing and building upon local food networks, educating the community, and promoting programs and policies that would create a sustainable local food system for the region. SLVLFC is embarking on a Community Food Assessment (CFA) to learn the impact the food system has on residents’ health, economic opportunity, and quality of life while looking through the lens of equity and climate health, and discover potential projects and priorities to inform future work. New Venture Advisors will be guiding and supporting SLVLFC in conducting this assessment. (2024)
Riley County and City of Manhattan, KS Food System Master Plan
Manhattan, KS
The Food and Farm Council of Riley County and City of Manhattan, KS partnered with New Venture Advisors to complete a Food System Master Plan that would guide the development of a dynamic and sustainable community food system. This was a comprehensive approach to identify policy solutions that influenced how food is produced, processed, distributed, stored, transported, purchased and consumed. NVA and the Food and Farm Council engaged community members and food system stakeholders to inform goals and action steps, and the finished Plan was adopted by the governing bodies of the City of Manhattan and Riley County. The planning project was funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas’ Pathways to a Healthy Kansas community grant program. (2022)
Norton County Food System Assessment
Norton, KS
Norton Regional Health Foundation is the 501(c)(3) fiduciary agent for Live Well Norton, a volunteer-driven coalition that works to improve the health and quality of life for residents in Norton County. The coalition is working to build a vibrant local food system to improve access to healthy foods in this rural county. New Venture Advisors conducted a food system assessment for Norton County, to help them identify key opportunities to grow their local food system. NVA also provided facilitation of community meetings to help them interpret the assessment data and potentially lay the groundwork for a food system plan for the community. (2022) Download report here.
Junction City and Geary County Food System Master Plan
Junction City, KS
Live Well Geary County Food Policy Council completed a Food System Plan to provide a 10 year guide for the development of their community’s food system. This planning process provided a comprehensive approach to food system efforts – by identifying policy solutions that influence how food is produced, processed, distributed, stored, transported, purchased and consumed. The Plan was unanimously adopted by the Junction City Commission and the Geary County Commission in July of 2022. New Venture Advisors provided strategic direction and technical assistance to them and their local planning partners in the development of this plan, supported the adoption process, and is supporting early stage Plan implementation efforts. (2022)
Regional Food System Data Collection
Austin, TX
The Central Texas Foodshed Collaborative is a partnership led by the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability and several organizations whose mission is to sustain a diverse network that fosters engagement, alignment and action among the people and organizations advancing equity and sustainability in their region’s food system. The group is looking for ways to fill gaps in available food system data to improve their understanding of their foodshed and develop trackable metrics that can be analyzed to quantify progress and inform policymaking and programming. New Venture Advisors worked with the Collaborative to establish the baseline metrics and indicators to measure the regional food system, identify gaps and limitations in existing data, and developed a plan for continuous collection, learning, and data collection methods for the future. (2022)
Food System Planning for the Waukegan Food Ecosphere
Waukegan, IL
The Adelante Center for Entrepreneurship exists to create wealth in distressed communities through entrepreneurship, community development, and living wage job creation, all through a focus on addressing food insecurity. A collective of food initiatives has been identified to be among the first projects undertaken at Adelante: an indoor farm and growing facility, an innovative approach to a food pantry, farm to school programming, a food hub, a shared kitchen, and a retail and food hall concept offering local access to diverse food and grocery options. Pre-development work for this ambitious set of projects is underway with New Venture Advisors. (2023)
Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Enterprise Center Feasibility Study
Staunton, VA
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission wants to support business diversification and growth in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia through value-added products and the delivery of agricultural goods and products to new markets. An Agricultural Enterprise Center has the potential to significantly accelerate this growth. This multi-use facility is intended to help growers and producers expand their market area, bridge the market gap, and pool together products to meet market demands. New Venture Advisors completed a food system assessment and feasibility study to determine the size, scale and location of the Ag Enterprise Center, the components to be included, and the economic benefits for the region. (2021) Read the report here.
City of Wichita Food System Master Plan
Wichita, KS
The Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita’s Food Policy Committee is developing, connecting and building a local food environment that creates a sustainable food system to serve the needs of producers, suppliers and consumers. The Coalition is composed of numerous organizations including the Greater Wichita YMCA which serves as fiduciary for the Coalition. By partnering with the City of Wichita to create a 10-year Food System Master Plan, they are guiding the development of community food assets in Wichita, Kansas. A Food System Master Plan process is an opportunity to provide a comprehensive approach to food systems efforts – identifying policy solutions that influence how food is produced, processed, distributed, stored, transported, purchased and consumed. New Venture Advisors provided technical assistance, guided the collaborative planning process, and authored the master plan. (2021) Download plan here
Linn County Food System Assessment
Cedar Rapids, IA
In 2020, The Linn County Food Systems Council had ambitious goals to improve Linn County’s food system from production to consumption. They focused on increasing access to and consumption of nutritious foods by boosting the volume and diversity of food produced within the county. The first step toward accomplishing this goal was to complete a comprehensive baseline food system assessment. New Venture Advisors worked with the Council to assess four factors that are foundational to food system development: production, procurement, processing, and barriers to entry and expansion of businesses working within the food system. (2020) Read the report here.
Northeast Market Assessment for Vermont Grain
Montpelier, VT
Northern Grain Growers Association, UVM Extension, Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund/Farm to Plate are wisely exploring agricultural options for Vermont dairy producers whose farming operations are facing an economic crisis that threatens the loss of their land and livelihoods. This group of collaborators is developing a hypothesis that investments in grain industry infrastructure could catalyze production transition and expansion among regional producers. New Venture Advisors conducted a market study of the Northeast for Vermont’s grain industry and developed recommendations aligned with Vermont’s grain production strengths. (2020)
Food System Partners of McHenry County
Woodstock, IL
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) works to preserve natural and agricultural land in and around McHenry County, IL. TLC believes that agriculture can and should work with nature, not against it, to provide good food, clean water, healthy soil and a robust economy. TLC has been working in partnership with many local groups, agencies, farmers, landowners and others with the long-term goal of getting more people producing healthy food in a regenerative way in McHenry County and the larger foodshed. New Venture Advisors facilitated a summit inviting these groups to explore ideas for a shared vision and identified opportunities to work together toward a stronger, more resilient food and farm system. (2019)
Kane County Food Hub
Geneva, IL
Kane County Planning engaged New Venture Advisors to assist in the development of a food hub that serves Kane County residents as well as the greater Chicago foodshed. A feasibility study identified a multi-million dollar opportunity to aggregate from Kane County farmers and distribute to customers across the region. A unique business model ensured the hub’s products will reach Kane County low-income residents and institutions that serve these communities. An owner/operator was selected and the food hub piloted operations in 2018. New Venture Advisors developed a strategic plan and roadmap to guide the food hub’s first full year of operations. (2019) Read the report here.
Kansas Statewide Food Distribution Study
Topeka, KS
The Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans directs resources toward helping Kansans and Kansas communities achieve and maintain optimal health. Access to fresh food in the many rural communities across the state is of chief concern as rural grocery stores continue to close at an alarming rate. Together with the Rural Grocery Initiative at K-State, Sunflower and NVA assessed the food distribution landscape in Kansas to propose innovative, alternative strategies that will provide critical support to rural grocery stores throughout the state of Kansas. (2018)
Sustainable Food Center Visioning Initiative
Austin, TX
The Sustainable Food Center (SFC) is an Austin-based nonprofit organization with involvement in every aspect of the local, Central Texas, food system. SFC works to cultivate a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and increasing access to nutritious, affordable food. In looking ahead, SFC asked, “How is the local food system likely to evolve, and what is our future as the centerpiece of this changing food system?” In 2018, SFC worked with New Venture Advisors to refresh its vision by answering these and the many underlying questions in order to clarify its future role, structure and plans. Since that time SFC has been implementing the plan, and NVA has provided coaching support in defining the purpose, structure and work focus of the newly formed organization. (2021)
Far-Northern California Ag Cluster Study
Redding, CA
Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (SRTA) works to develop cost-effective transportation investment strategies that connect communities, people and goods. New Venture Advisors assisted SRTA and its project partners in evaluating the potential to develop agricultural clusters in far-northern California that coordinate and consolidate wholesaling and distribution activities to reduce greenhouse emissions, expand economic opportunity throughout the region and more effectively utilize California’s freight corridors. (2017)
Mohawk Valley Food System Assessment
Cobleskill, NY
New Venture Advisors conducted the Mohawk Valley Food System Assessment under the sponsorship of Empire State Development and in partnership with Cornell University Cooperative Extension. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of food businesses that could boost the agricultural sector and occupy a former textile mill in Cobleskill, NY. The team identified a number of high priority business to evaluate, and New Venture Advisors developed breakeven financial models to enable them to determine if and how to move forward. (2016)
Crawford County Community Food Assessment
Pittsburg, KS
Under the guidance of Eat Well Crawford County and with support from Kansas State University’s Center for Engagement and Community Development, New Venture Advisors conducted a Food Systems Assessment of Crawford County, among the lowest-income counties in Kansas. The goal of this study was to develop a prioritized action plan to focus Eat Well’s efforts with respect to local food systems development and health equity for the next several years. The Food Systems Assessment was conducted through interviews and a full day session with over fifty stakeholders across the county. (2015)
Casper Community Food Assessment
Casper, WY
Bould Development aims to strengthen the local food system to increase the health and prosperity of the Casper community. The project’s ambitious leader is a medical student who believes that the food system is the nation’s primary healthcare system, and that building a better food system is foundational to better health for his community. Through funding from USDA, Prevention Management Organization of Wyoming, Casper Area Economic Development Alliance, Casper Community Greenhouse Project, and Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center, New Venture Advisors led a Community Food Assessment to identify barriers to and strategies for the development of a more robust food system for the Casper area. (2015)
Bridgeport Downtown Development
Bridgeport, CT
Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District is focused on the development and revitalization of downtown Bridgeport, CT. New Venture Advisors worked with Carmody Consulting on the development of an action plan to revitalize Bridgeport’s downtown district through food enterprise development, based on a series of interviews and a community planning session. (2015)
Local Food System Assessment for Northern Virginia
Washington, D.C.
This study laid the groundwork for Blue Ridge Produce, a for-profit aggregation and distribution company serving wholesale customers in Washington, D.C. The report examined the agricultural and business landscape and identified the opportunity for business development. From this foundation the Blue Ridge team was quickly able to complete its feasibility assessment, adding the rigorous financial analysis typically conducted in a feasibility study, then its business plan, and raise capital for startup in May 2011. Read the report here. (2010)
Ready to Grow: A Plan for Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Production
Illinois
The Ready to Grow study began with survey of Illinois farmers to better understand what prevented them from increasing specialty crop production. This barrier assessment provided strong evidence that food hubs could be successful in solving those barriers, and suggested the type of services and locations which might be most effective. FamilyFarmed.org initiated and secured funding for this study, and as an outcome of this work, two Illinois food hubs were launched in 2011. Read the report here. (2010)
