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Community Food Assessment
The primary goal of a Community Food Assessment (CFA) is to create a picture of a community’s food system through the collection of data and information that identifies current food resources and needs in the community.
The entire report can be downloaded here: Lowell Community Food Assessment.
Goals and Objectives for the CFA included:
Goals
Empowering the voices of constituents and partner organizations while providing important data and a lasting network for future initiatives and funding opportunities.
Identifying gaps and voids in the existing food system as well as resources that can contribute to improving programs and services for the benefit of the people most in need of nutritious food.
Creating policy and procedures for building a healthier community.
Exposing community resources that can be shared with constituents, and understanding how we can increase our effectiveness in encouraging a healthier and more aware community.
Identifying areas where local food production can be increased and raising support and interest in the creation of more resources for local farmers and gardeners.
Acting as a tool that will increase the capacity for community organizing, especially among constituent groups.
Promoting economic development via our local food system.
Advisory Board
The advisory board of the Lowell Community Food Assessment was comprised of nine local organizations:
City of Lowell: Linda King
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (New Entry): Jennifer Hashley
Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI) – WIC Program: Marianne Fullam
Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA): Dahvy Tran
Lowell Alliance for Families and Neighborhoods (LAFN): Marianne Gries
Lowell Community Health Center (LCHC): Elisa Garibaldi
Lowell General Hospital (LGH): Julie Brodie
Merrimack Valley Food Bank (MVFB): Amy Pessia
Mill City Grows: Lydia Sisson and Francey Slater
United Teen Equality Center (UTEC)
University of Massachusetts – Lowell (UML): John Wooding
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