Download - Measuring Food Security In Jackson
Phil Tocco
Extension Educator
MSUE-Jackson County
Measuring Food Security in Jackson
Why Measure Food Security?
What is a Food Security Survey?
• An assessment of need within a community
• Fairly quantitative and repeatable
• Highly configurable based on research goals
Developing the Survey
• Begin with the end in mind
• Seek input from a diverse stakeholder group
• Craft a basic survey instrument
• Pilot and revise survey as necessary
• Collect and analyze data
Components of the Survey?• Demographic and Socioeconomic profile
• Community food resource profile
• Household food security assessment
• Assessment of food resource accessibility
• Food availability and affordability assessment
• Community food production resources assessment
Demographic Profile
• Helps to describe what the community looks like.
• Parameters can include:– Age, Race– Employment
• Poverty status– Income
Photo Credit Getty Images
Food Resource Profile
• Determines the adequacy of community resources.
• Are food assistance programs available?
• Is the community participating?
• Are emergency resources available?
Household Food Security Assessment
• Main driver is to determine if household food security is a direct personal problem.
• Key assessment indicators:– Perceptions of inadequacy.– food budget anxiety.– reports of reduced food
intake or consequences.
Food Resource Accessibility
• Assesses physical access to food.
• Do grocery stores exist in the neighborhood?
• What barriers to access exist?
• Is transportation adequate?
Food Availability and Affordability
• Is there a variety of food available in local stores?
• Is the food affordable?
• Can include a survey of local grocery stores.
Photo Credit Getty Images
Community Food Production Resources
• Assesses the community capacity for local production and low income access.
• Indicators include:– Community gardens– Local food purchases by
institutions and schools– Value added production
or food processing
Partnership Park Demographics
• 20 square blocks adjacent to downtown.
• 85% renter occupied
• Median household income is $15,966
• More racially diverse than rest of city
Branded Neighborhood
• Gateway sign and street banners.
• Historic street lighting.• Monthly
neighborhood stakeholder meetings.
• Annual neighborhood events.
Community Activism Around Food Security
• Active community garden group in neighborhood.
• MSUE, Faith-based collaborations to educate gardeners.
• Emphasis on hand-up
Photo Credit Citizen Patriot
Other Neighborhood Investments
• $12 million in Public/Private investments.
• 24 rehabs.
• 16 new urban in-fills.
• Significant sidewalk repairs (191 squares).
Research Methods
• Developed and validated food security instrument.
• 19 households randomly picked from each subject area.
• Data subjected to simple T-test to determine significance of differences among populations.
Home Ownership Rates
Hungry because they couldn’t afford food
Lost weight because they couldn’t afford food
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Usage
SNA Program Partnership Park Occurrences
Adjacent area Occurrences
WIC 7 9
Free/Reduced School Lunch
3 7
Project Fresh 0 1
Meals on Wheels 1 0
Food Pantries 10 7
Interfaith Shelter 3 2
Bridge Card/Food Stamps
16 12
Community Garden 5 0
Key Takeaways
• Begin with the end in mind
• Develop stakeholder group
• Remember the data are the starting point
Photo Credit Getty Images