Course:Course:LFS350/Projects/F2023/Farm2Plate

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Project Title

Data Storytelling for Community Connection: Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change

Organization Name

Farm-to-Plate Marketplace

Organization Information

Organization Name

Farm-to-Plate Marketplace

Mission and Vision of Organization

Mission

Build Communities using Food and Technology

Vision

A future where communities autonomously manage and innovate their own food systems, leveraging the power of technology to forge resilient networks of cooperation, ensuring food security, and driving positive social and environmental change.

Guiding Principles + Values

  • Universality: We believe in inclusivity and the importance of serving all members of the community, irrespective of their background, socioeconomic status, or personal circumstances. This includes high income users who have more choices in their purchasing which forces our service to meet higher expectations to entice them as well.
  • Equal Treatment of All Clientele: Our commitment to fairness ensures that every individual receives equitable access to our services and resources. Discrimination and bias have no place in our organization.
  • Low Barrier Accessibility: We strive to minimize barriers to entry, making our offerings accessible to everyone. This includes designing user-friendly technology, offering financial assistance where needed, and providing support for those with diverse needs.
  • Transparent Data Sharing: Transparency is at the core of our operations. We are dedicated to openly sharing data, insights, and outcomes to foster trust among our partners, clients, and the wider community. We believe that open communication is fundamental to our collaborative efforts.
  • Anonymity: We value and respect the privacy and confidentiality of our clients and participants. Anonymity is a key component of our commitment to safeguarding personal information and ensuring that individuals feel secure when engaging with our organization.

Contact Information

  • Primary Contact Person(s): Anthony Daniel Csikos (he/him), Founder & Chief Technical Officer
  • Email: anthony@farmtoplatemarketplace.com
  • Phone: Please ask Anthony for his phone number if needed
  • Address: Multiple locations
  • Website: farmtoplatemarketplace.com
  • Alternate Contact Person: N/A

Preferred Method of Contact

  • Best method(s) to contact: Email, Phone
  • Best day(s) to contact: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays
  • Best time(s) to contact by phone: Afternoon (12 noon-5pm), Afternoon (12 noon-5pm)

Preferred Platform(s) for Collaboration and Student Meetings

  • In person
  • Google Meet
  • Slack for messaging

Project Description

Note: This project will take place online and in person

Context/Background

F2PM is a pay what you can virtual farmers market. Farmers share their available inventories which are then shared with the community via an online marketplace. Users then create spaces in their community for the food to be delivered, such as, porch pickups, neighbourhood houses, churches, backyards, etc. This encourages community members to work collaborate and develop spaces that fit their needs. All our data gets posted weekly on our community page where we hope that with enough information our community can improve and develop the service further. We are looking to create create a food sovereign community in which there are opportunities for everyone to participate.

Food Systems Issue(s) Addressed in this Project

"At the core of data storytelling is the goal to tailor information in an appropriate manner, for a specific audience, in a way that puts a human perspective on the narrative being told." - Nasrine Olson, Swedish School of Library and Information Science (2021)

As captured in the 2021 report, Community-Centered Food Support and Care for All Transforming Dignified Food Access in Vancouver, it is a critical priority to develop collaborative, community-based food security initiatives that centre the "inherent agency, creativity, dignity, intellect, and worth of all who need to access charitable food in the city" (p. 2).

F2P aims to create an accessible system that provides a dignified way for people to access food supports. Planning conversations for a virtual farmers market began in 2019. Today, our model includes community members with low and high income, ensuring that our system is offered in a way that would attract everyone and not just people who are needing support. We also want to aim to connect our community members with local farmers and support our local food system which can sometimes be inaccessible to some with the higher cost of food at Farmers Markets.

Our system encourages community members to participate, and we try and share as much of our data as possible with our membership. LFS 350 students will help us design questions that allow us to collect and interpret the data needed to tell the story of our work to our members, and to others. The project goal is to foster empowering and informed conversations, where community members are active in solving and addressing issues that inhabit our shared food system.

Main Project Activities

  • Develop survey questions: Students will create a list of questions, such as demographic questions. Members will be given one question to answer when they are placing their weekly order. The response will be associated with their food order, but not their individual account (out of respect for privacy).
  • Analyze data: Students will analyze survey responses and look for trends/themes/connections associated with the items selected
  • Organize one or more group discussions/workshops: Students will plan and facilitate group conversations/workshops with market shoppers in order to gain insight into the collected data. The ideal number of discussions will be determined with the community partner
  • Create a presentation: Students will develop a presentation to share findings with government agencies and policy advocacy actors. The presentation should highlight key insights into food systems challenges. The specific format will be determined with the community partner (e.g. slide deck, short video, or...?)

Main Project Deliverable(s)

  • A set of 1-2 weekly survey questions designed to uncover community needs and user profiles over 4 weeks.
  • At least 1 community conversation/workshop to facilitate and develop more in-depth discussions and exploration of the findings.
  • 1 presentation summarizing the project's findings, ready for sharing with government agencies (format to be discussed).

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

  • Communication
  • Data analytics
  • Workshop design and/or facilitation experience

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

  • We encourage students to actively participate in at least one Thursday packaging and/or food distribution event. This hands-on experience not only demonstrates their commitment to the project but also provides valuable insights into the operational aspects of our program. It's an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical knowledge about how our initiative functions and directly engage with our community members.

Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?

  • No

How much self-direction is expected from the students?

  • Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Mostly led by community partner, with some student input
  • Developing the activity plan and timeline: Equal leadership between students and community partner
  • Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Equal leadership between students and community partner
  • Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Equal leadership between students and community partner
  • Finalizing the deliverable(s): Equal leadership between students and community partner

Related Volunteering/Community Service Opportunities for Students

  • Students can explore various community service opportunities by visiting our website at https://farmtoplatemarketplace.com/CommunityEngagement#VolunteerOpportunities.
  • We encourage students to actively participate in at least one Thursday packaging and/or food distribution event. This hands-on experience not only demonstrates their commitment to the project but also provides valuable insights into the operational aspects of our program. It's an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical knowledge about how our initiative functions and directly engage with our community members.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting:

Additional Materials

Expected Outcomes

Intended Short-term Project Outcome

  • F2P has has a greater understanding of, and greater ability to communicate with, our members in order to improve the program and better address the needs of our community.

Learning Outcomes

Through this project, I think students will learn about...

  • Food Insecurity: Students will gain a deep understanding of the multifaceted challenges individuals and communities face when dealing with food insecurity. They will explore the root causes, varying levels of need, and the impact on people's lives.
  • Complexity of Individual Situations: This project will expose students to the complexity of each person's situation regarding food security. They will learn that food insecurity is not a one-size-fits-all issue, and individuals' circumstances can be influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic status, access to resources, and personal challenges.
  • Community Engagement: Students will experience the power of community engagement and how it can be harnessed to address social issues. They will witness firsthand the benefits of involving community members in discussions and decision-making processes.
  • Data Analysis: Through data collection and analysis, students will develop analytical and problem-solving skills. They will learn how to interpret data to identify trends and inform strategies for improving food systems.

By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...

  • Food System Complexity: Students will acquire a deep understanding of the intricacies of our food system, including supply chains, distribution networks, and sustainability challenges.
  • Community Engagement: They will develop skills in engaging with community members to drive change. This includes fostering collaboration, facilitating discussions, and listening to diverse perspectives.
  • Consumer Behaviour: Students will gain insights into consumer behaviour related to grocery shopping habits. They will become more aware of how individuals make choices about food and the factors influencing those decisions.
  • Access to Food: Awareness will grow about the barriers people face in accessing nutritious food. Students will learn about food deserts, affordability issues, and the importance of equitable food access.
  • Advocacy and Change: They will develop advocacy skills and an awareness of the role individuals and communities can play in advocating for positive change in the food system.

By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...

  • Community Collaboration: The willingness and capacity of community members to collaborate and work together towards common goals. Students will witness the power of collective action in addressing complex issues like food security.
  • Abundance of Local Resources: The richness of our land and local resources in providing sustainable solutions to food-related challenges. Students will gain an appreciation for the potential of locally sourced and grown foods.
  • Diverse Perspectives: The importance of embracing diverse perspectives and experiences within a community. They will recognize that every individual's input is valuable and contributes to a more inclusive and holistic approach to problem-solving.
  • Interconnectedness: The interconnected nature of food systems, from production to consumption, and how this web of relationships impacts communities and the environment. Students will understand the ripple effects of food-related decisions.
  • Empowerment: The transformative potential of community-driven initiatives and how they empower individuals to take control of their food systems and overall well-being.
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