Course:LFS350/Projects/Fall2016/HIM WEMarket
Project Summary
Purpose
This purpose of this project is to explore the potential opportunities for connecting extra food from vendors at the West End farmers market with neighbourhood kitchens and food programs that serve vulnerable populations.
Areas of Focus
- Food access and distribution
- Community kitchen and meal programs
- Healthy and low-cost meal planning and preparation
Skills
- Food collection and distribution
- Public engagement
- Interviewing
- Data processing and presentation
Location
- West End of Vancouver
Special Considerations
- Availability on some Saturday mornings in September and October
Organization Information
Name
Health Initiative for Men (HIM)
Mission
The Mission of HIM is to strengthen gay men’s health and well-being through trusted, tailored, targeted research-based health promotion services and by engaging the community through volunteer involvement, online access and events. We foster mutually beneficial relationships among gay men and health professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes. We do this because we value the ability of gay men to make informed decisions, we value the role of our community in supporting the foundations for healthy living, and we value scientific research. - See more at: http://checkhimout.ca
Primary Contact
- Name: Josh Edward
- Email: joshua@checkhimout.ca
- Address: 310-1033 Davie St. Vancouver BC, V6E 1M7
- Phone: 604 488 1001
- Website: http://checkhimout.ca
Project Description
Health Initiative for Men (HIM) is a Metro-Vancouver based gay men’s health agency serving the unique mental, physical, social, and sexual health needs of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (OMSM). HIM strives to provide comprehensive, holistic services, that focus on overall health and wellbeing in the GM&OMSM community. One central food asset in the West End is the Farmers Market on Comox St, considered one of the best kept secrets in Vancouver. Recently, one farmer at the market indicated that she had some leftover produce at the end of the farmers market days, and how she never knows what to do with them. At the same time, there are many community kitchens and meal programs that are serving low cost or subsidized food to vulnerable individuals in the neighbourhood and could use the left over food in their operations. Win-win!
Students in this project will be asked to interview vendors in the West End Farmers Market to explore their willingness to participate in a program that collects and donates leftover fresh produce to neighbourhood kitchen and meal programs.
Goal(s) and project scope A summary of results that indicate the vendors willingness to participate in a food donation program, an inventory or items available, and other relevant information.
Project / Partner orientation Josh will provide a reading list in the first week of classes and orientation to community.
Skills Preferred
- Background in social justice context of food and nutrition
- Interview and note-taking ability
- Interest and willingness to work with diverse communities.
Project Location
Project meeting(s) will take place at Health Initiative for Men, 1033 Davie Street, or on site at the West end Farmers Market. Public transportation is available.
Preferred Days of Week and Hours
- Schedule is quite open.
- West End Farmers Market is held on Saturday mornings, 9am-2pm
Experiential Learning Opportunities
- Community Service opportunities are available, including with both the Rainbow Soup Social and Community Garden Group at HIM.
Expected Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- Students will learn about how different communities engage with food in unique ways.
- Students will learn about the opportunities and challenges of collecting, processing and distributing food from markets to community organizations
Organizational Outcomes
HIM will gain...
- Strategies for further developing the food assets and networks in the West End community
- Innovative thinking from new perspectives