Communities with robust local food systems are more resilient - better able to adapt to change - because they can maintain influence over their resources and reduce their dependence on factors out of their control. This resilience is even more critical in times of crisis, as we've seen during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ellett, Jodee

Frohman, Claire

Simpson, Jacob

IUScholarWorks

Communities with robust local food systems are more resilient—better able to adapt 
to change—because they can maintain influence over their resources and reduce 
their dependence on factors out of their control. This resilience is even more critical 
in times of crisis, as we’ve seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In spring 2020, the IU Center for Rural Engagement and IU Sustainable Food Systems Science partnered with 
Lost River Market and Deli in Paoli, Indiana to launch a multifaceted community food project, Lost River 
Local. By co-designing this initiative, we incorporated the community’s food values and vision for a healthier 
local food system that addresses economic and social issues identified in the community. 
Each week, Lost River distributes 50-70 boxes of fresh produce to participants who are either self-referred 
(Community Box) or prescribed (Nutrition Box) healthy local food. In both programs, participants connect 
with other community members working toward greater food literacy and a healthier lifestyle. They have access 
to online cooking and nutrition lessons using the Cooking Matters curriculum, and engage in a closed Facebook 
group where they share what they have learned and cooked each week. Each month, Lost River’s Harvest of the 
Month program features a local fruit or vegetable in their store and their Community and Nutrition Boxes, as 
well as in the Paoli school system cafeterias. This project is a great example of how to bring partners together 
for community-led food system change. 
These are key lessons we learned while developing this project:
Collaborate with strong leaders and partners who 
are in it for the right reasons and committed 
for the long term.
A robust local food system is dependent on a number of key 
transactional, institutional, and social partners. Transactional 
partners such as farmers, markets, food businesses, and 
consumers are all part of a local value chain and, to sustain 
their development, they rely on institutional partners or 
technical assistance agencies in business, education, economics, 
agriculture, and culinary arts. Social partners work to address 
community needs such as food insecurity, healthy food access, food 
literacy, food in healthcare, and community food production.
Best Practices for 
Community Food 
System Projects
Jodee Ellett, Community Engagement 
Claire Frohman, Research Associate 
Indiana University Sustainable Food Systems Science
Jacob Simpson, Community Resilience Liaison 
Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement
Fall 2020
INDIANA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGEMENT RURAL.INDIANA.EDU
CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGEMENT
FIELD NOTES
1
No one partner should have control of the agenda, but establishing a core partner can help move a 
project along. In designing food system initiatives, it is critical for all partners to reflect on their own 
roles in the local food system and their relationship to the roles of other partners, as well as their 
capacity to support change, share resources, and bring other collaborators to the table.
In this collaboration with IU, Lost River relied on several community partners to implement the Lost 
River Local initiative, including Southern Indiana Community Health Care, Orange County Health 
Coalition, Orange County HomeGrown, Paoli School Food Service, Paoli Ag Program, and Purdue 
Extension Orange County.
Build initiatives that fit the community.
The local history, culture, infrastructure, and leaders make up the beginning of a long list of community 
assets that must be factored into any plan. Conversations with individuals and organizations leading 
the charge reveal a vision, but broader conversations with other players throughout the community 
reveal subtleties in perspective and ensure the design process is not based on false assumptions.
Look for inspiration in other successful examples.
Finding and connecting with research and evidence-based strategies will help you learn from the 
successes and failures of others, and ensure that your resources are used efficiently and effectively.
The Nutrition Box program, healthy cooking and nutrition classes, and Harvest of the Month program 
were all created based on existing initiatives. IU and Lost River discussed a number of ideas and models 
before settling on those that fit with their vision and had support from community partners.
Develop plans using the primary and secondary data available or collected.
Many types of food system data are available to address transactional and social issues. An institutional 
partner such as Indiana University can be useful in gaining access and sorting through the information you 
need. When you can’t find existing supporting information, collecting data from community organizations, 
groups, and individuals will be important for establishing a baseline of information to help guide your 
project and track outcomes and impacts. 
Secondary data sources for Orange County indicated that chronic diseases related to diet, like diabetes, 
were a major public health issue in Paoli. Information from local farmers indicated that produce production 
supply could increase to meet demand. Primary data collected by Lost River from the member-owners 
found that locally grown foods and a healthy food community were priorities that Lost River should be 
leading. Combining these data sources was critical in forming an initiative that both fit the community’s 
needs and functioned within their capacity. 
Good food is essential for health and community well-being.  With these best practices as a guide, any 
community with leadership and an interest in a healthier, more just food system can bring partners to the 
table and engage in change.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR RURAL ENGAGEMENT RURAL.INDIANA.EDU
4
3
2
Lost River had a pulse on all things relating to healthy 
and local food in the Paoli community from over a decade 
as a cornerstone business and community hub. As a 
grocery cooperative, their more than 1,700 members 
have engaged in the member-owner experience and 
built valuable relationships with local people and 
organizations, making them an ideal core partner.


Best Practices for Community Food System Projects

https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/bitstream/2022/25875/1/Best%20Practices%20for%20Community%20Food%20System%20Projects.pdf

Best Practices for Community Food System Projects

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

IUScholarWorks