CFAs and Participatory Methods

One of the main things I liked about this week’s readings was how it was mostly about the community affecting the food system as opposed to the other way around. The Pothukuchi has nine examples of the impacts and changes brought about of CFAs (I’d really like to see one done of Tallahassee!) which is encouraging to see how some other cities and regions were able to make food more available and healthier as well as address some economic sides to it, such as farmer’s markets. I also enjoyed reading about the different ways food brings about a sense of community and how trying to solve food problems leads to community building, especially in collaborative processes where stakeholders not only generate ideas, but also are held accountable for them. Whether using the example of how communities have been able to demand different ethnic food from gas stations or the studying of CFAs, the residents of an area have a lot of power to change the system—I think it’s a message we need to not only hear, but to see.

So how do we get more people involved in the local community food system? I think the first way would to be to make sure people know their voices are being heard; I’m not talking about “thank you for voicing your concern/ideas.” No. I’m talking about small-scale projects that can be implemented relatively immediately that demonstrate that the opinion of the locals matters. If people felt that they could make a difference in their community, they would be more likely to try (this ay also be an argument for using more participatory methods of governments and studies). What are some examples of ways residents of Tallahassee, for example, could have their voices heard? Are there any projects or ideas that the implementation of could bring about a strengthening of community ties?

Another thing I liked about the reading was how it briefly discussed the benefits of having more CFA studies within University classes because it demonstrates a shift in mindset to understand the importance of food and how it directly (or indirectly) impacts other areas. I think something ironic about Tallahassee is that we’re also a flawed city with a flawed food system. What’s ironic about this is the brain power within our city—we have every ability to fix the food problems within town—between the innovation and modernity of young college students and the experience and sage of professors and faculty members--, yet we still have them. Therefore, something else must be complicating the situation (possibly government policies and regulation or lack of knowledge of the issues?).