Initiated Dialogue Through Local Food Systems

Pothukuchi's article examined in the context of food security, as it is stated to constitute as the first step in planning for community food security. The focus includes using community food assessments as a tool for integrating food into planning by the means of a central intelligence function, a pulse-taking function, a policy clarification function, a community food security strategic plan functions, a feedback review function. CFAs address strategies for community change that include the communities involvement by covering community development objectives and food system activities. There are already several programs in existence in cities like Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, and Detroit, MI, and several more in the Untied States. There are about 13 categories of information gathered by community food assessment to consider when addressing food systems according to the research article. Furthermore, the inclusion and practice of planners in the decision-making process of food systems seems to be essentially imperative for food security. In sum, the information gained from the CFAs will also suit planners beyond imagine when combining the resources of a planner.

In "Understanding and Measuring the Food Environment" the parameters for measuring the food environment are discussed. The characteristics of the food environment include the quality of, and spatial disparities found within several food destinations. Moreover, the characteristics of the characteristics of the food environment encompasses not only the cultural impact, but also includes the scope in terms of the cultural impact that people have on the food environment. In order to measure access to healthful foods the following indicators may be measured in a community's food environment: food environment, public infrastructure, and demographic indicators. To bring Pothukuchi's article into fruition, food destinations would be an example of a food environment indicator, while public infrastructure and built environment indicators could be directly associated with the performance of the planner. Demographic indicators conveyed in terms of vulnerability and disparity would be addressed by factors such as income, age, ethnicity/race, and auto ownership. This information could also be critical to the performance of the planner as these indicators measure the equity in the community.

Lastly, we have "Community-Initiated Dialogue" by Thomson et al., an interesting piece that stresses that the community can strengthen their local food system through the means of active engagement. I was drawn to this piece in particular, in comparison to the other two readings for the week with reason being that community collaboration with local government is absolutely imperative for a truly effective city planning. The biggest issue food systems face today is the conversation, or should I say, the lack thereof conversation of food systems, period.  Thomson et al. Food systems is a local problem that belongs in political-public conversations. Nonetheless, it is a fact that there is currently an ongoing increase in media coverage regarding food and agriculture. Prior to this reading, the concept of civic agriculture was introduced, a term previously unheard of by me. The remainder of the piece covered methods to facilitate public education about the food system in the form of  multiple strategies -- community forums, study circles, and focus groups. The objective of these strategies would enable community residents to not only be aware about others and their experiences with the food system, but the newly informed community residents will be enabled to contribute and collaborate with both public and political figures exactly what they want and how they need it.