Household Food Security Versus Community Food Security

Last week the USDA found the highest levels of food insecurity in the U.S. since they began the report in 1995.

Food security measures a range of experiences around one’s access to food from the sensation of hunger to concern over having enough money to buy food.

This is a local issue. The state of Oregon was ranked second in the nation for rates of "very low food security," having seen a 69% increase since 2006. These numbers are almost certainly higher now since the 2006-2008 report does not reflect the repercussions of the 2009 recession. Read more about this here.

Increases in household food security signal the need for a focus on building community food security: creating the conditions necessary, at a local level, to ensure that all community members can access safe healthy food through a sustainable food system.

What is a community food assessment??

A community food assessment is the first step in local food systems planning.

While community food assessments are relatively new and vary greatly as they are intended to fit diverse community needs and characteristics, there is a set of key principles which guide the process:

1. Examines a broad range of food issues and the links between these issues and community goals. Issues can range from improving emergency food access to increasing community health and nutrition, from expanding sustainable local food production to providing more gardening resources and education to residents.

2. Is a practical tool with practical applications. Unlike traditional research, a community food assessment is carried out with the intentions of gathering the information, community input and participation necessary to support and build concrete actions to improve community food security and enhance the local food system.

3. Is a planned and systematic process of gathering information about and analyzing community food issues. The process involves a combination of gathering existing data and collecting new information through a variety of methods from survey to discussion. The information is then analyzed and compiled in a report which will be shared with the community and serve as a platform to create community food projects to address identified needs and utilize existing resources.

4. Focuses on both needs and strengths. The process allows a community to solve local problems with local resources and therefore builds local capacity and self-reliance.

5. Emphasizes collaboration and includes broad community participation. Everyone eats=Everyone has a stake in our local food system. Our food system is about people, relationships and resources and involves a wide array of players from producers and grocers to community health agencies, schools, local government and many more. It is essential that the assessment be community-based with local voices driving its focus and direction.

Introduction to Project Coordinators

Wy'East Resource Conservation & Development helps build sustainable rural communities to improve and enhance social, economic, and natural resources in the Columbia River Gorge, Mid-Columbia and Central Oregon.

Last year Wy'East launched its Community Food Systems project with a VISTA volunteer promoting community gardens and conducting a Community Food Assessment in the Columbia River Gorge and Mid-Columbia region. This year Wy'East has brought on another VISTA volunteer, based out of Redmond, to conduct a Community Food Assesment for Central Oregon.

Wy'East also runs a highly successful Micro Enterprise Facilitation service providing free, confidential and professional small business advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing enterprises. In addition, Wy'East projects focus on Cooperative Watershed Health Conservation and Agriculture Energy Management.

For more information visit http://www.wyeast-rcd.org/default.aspx


Founded in 1985, NeighborImpact is a private nonprofit organization established to serve and speak out for economically disadvantaged people in Central Oregon. Our mission is to break the cycle of poverty by helping remove the barriers that prevent people from achieving economic self-sufficiency.

NeighorImpact is a key player in the Central Oregon Food System, home to the region's Food Bank which serves Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson County emergency food providers. NeighborImpact bringing nearly 25 years of experience working with low-income Central Oregonians running Head Start programs and providing emergency, housing, weatherization, and childcare services.

NeighborImpact recognizes the need for self-sufficiency in light of the new economic climate and increased emergency food needs; their role in the assessment process will expand on the vital work of the Food Bank.

For more information visit: http://www.neighborimpact.org/

Welcome to the Central Oregon Community Food Assessment Blog!

This blog will serve as a space to learn about, follow and participate in the Central Oregon Community Food Assessment process. In addition, I will post videos, links, relevant news and more to promote education around community food issues.