References - GlobalGiving



VEGGIE VAN PROGRAMExecutive SummaryCarteret Local Food Network started as a grassroots movement in 2008 and received 501(c)3 status in 2016 to directly confront the issues of food equality, food security, environmental impact, health, education, and economic development in Carteret County, North Carolina. We work tirelessly to fulfill our mission to protect and promote a local food system that builds community, supports the local economy, nurtures a healthy environment, and produces nutritious, delicious food by:organizing farm to table dinners at local farms;teaching educational culinary classes about eating seasonally and locally;working with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on the development and implementation of the Visit NC Farms mobile application;starting a community supported agriculture (CSA) program in our county that focuses on smaller farmsOur proposed Veggie Van Program will directly contribute to our mission of addressing our community’s needs. Its objectives include:allowing Carteret Local Food Network to provide low-wealth communities with access to healthy, fresh food at reasonable prices while creating new markets for local small- to mid-sized farmers;complimenting the Meals on Wheels program that delivers weekly in our area and to reduce the reliance on transportation to any church or other organizations that provide pantry services while increasing food access in our elderly or disadvantaged communitiesThe total cost of full implementation for the Veggie Van Program is $68,237.00. Of this amount, $33,157.00 has already been committed to via private donations, Carteret Local Food Network’s operating budget, in-kind services, and volunteer opportunities. Statement of NeedThe need for Carteret Local Food Network’s Veggie Van Program is great.Our community has struggled with food equality and security for several years and its effects have been further amplified by recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Florence, changes in employment due to COVID-19, the increasing number of convenience stores and fast food restaurants being developed within our county, lack of public transportation, a low incidence of stores accepting federal SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program/Electronics Benefits Transfer) within our area, and lack of education regarding ways to obtain and prepare healthy seasonal local foods.-9525160972500Statistics show that large portions of Carteret County are considered a food desert, which, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is identified as large proportion of households with low incomes, inadequate access to transportation, and a limited number of food retailers providing fresh produce and healthy groceries for affordable prices CITATION Dut12 \l 1033 (Dutko, Ver Ploeg, & Farrigan, 2012). A study conducted by the USDA in August 2012 showed that “increased attention to national health issues, such as the rising incidence of obesity and the growing prevalence of diabetes and other weight-related diseases, especially in children, has made the concept of healthy food access increasingly important” CITATION Dut12 \p 1 \l 1033 (Dutko, Ver Ploeg, & Farrigan, 2012, p. 1).The 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment published by the Carteret County Health Department in association with Carteret Health Care showed low-income and 65+ years of age populations are finding it increasingly difficult to access healthy foods via grocery stores (p. 79). “Participants [in this research study] shared that they struggled with not being able to afford to eat healthy foods or knowing what to select as healthy food choices when eating away from home. Fast food restaurants were described as being close and convenient compared to healthier alternatives. Specific issues included difficulty finding fresh vegetables due to limited choices for grocery stores and family traditions around cooking” CITATION 20118 \p 83 \l 1033 (2018 Community Needs Assessment, 2018, p. 83).Carteret Local Food Network has confronted these issues in the past, but we believe a more coordinated effort with greater support will help to solve the issues in our community surrounding food insecurity and food equality. We have already implemented culinary classes to help educate members of our community about sourcing locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, addressing discomfort with trying new food items, increasing confidence in their home kitchens, and teaching recipes that can be easily manipulated to include a variety of seasonally available produce. However, it is not enough to wait for members of our community to come to us to learn about these benefits–we must be able to address the issues of poverty and transportation as well and we must do it within their neighborhoods, at their homes, and at times that are convenient for them.If our Veggie Van Program is not implemented, Carteret County is at a continued risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues linked to poor diet, lack of access to nutritionally dense foods, and minimal consumer education about the benefits associated with eating locally, seasonally, and having access to a wide variety of different fruits and vegetables.Our expertise and background in education, connections with local food sources, experience in the restaurant industry, and strong desire to promote food security and equality as well as our partnerships with local farmers, the NC Department of Agriculture, multiple local NC State University Cooperative Extensions, Carteret Catch, local churches and parish halls, and local businesses place Carteret Local Food Network in a unique position to make a major difference.Goals and ObjectivesGoal: Increase individuals’ access to farmers’ markets in our area to combat the influx and convenience of fast food restaurants and inconvenience of single day markets that currently exist.Objective: In the first full year (2021) of our Veggie Van Mobile Market, we will begin with at least three separate locations throughout Carteret County on scheduled days during the week that do not coincide with the more common Saturday farmers’ markets which will raise awareness in our community about alternate methods of obtaining fresh local produce, especially in lower-income households who may not have the option of not working on a Saturday to attend traditional markets. By the end of the first year, we anticipate having at least six separate locations throughout Carteret County.Goal: Facilitate food access in underserved populations that may be homebound or have difficulty with transportation.Objectives: A mobile market allows Carteret Local Food Network to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to central locations in low-income, minority, or elderly housing communities where access to transportation may be challenging to individuals who do not own a vehicle or do not have access to the very limited public transportation options that exist in Carteret County. We anticipate self-reported survey responses to show a 50% increase in fresh food availability in areas where the Veggie Van Mobile Market operates.Goal: Increase the purchasing power in low-wealth communities in order to provide more fresh food options at more affordable prices.Objective: Carteret Local Food Network has recently received approval as a SNAP/EBT authorized retailer and we are working with partners like Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) to implement the FreshBucks Program, doubling the buying power of EBT shoppers through a grant from the USDA and offering a Senior Mobile Market Loyalty Program through Veggie Van Mobile Market Toolkit, the Mobile Market Summit, and the Veggie Van Study led by the University at Buffalo and plan to implement one or both of these programs in 2021, making the purchase of fresh produce more affordable.Goal: Increase consumer education about the benefits of eating seasonally and locally and encourage healthy eating habits in families.Objective: In 2021, we anticipate reaching at least 250 separate households via our Veggie Van, offering education about produce items available, simple recipes that can be handed out for easy duplication, taste testing to encourage individuals to try items that they are unfamiliar with, health benefits, and nutritional information for the whole family.Methods and StrategiesObjective: In the first full year (2021) of our Veggie Van Mobile Market, we will provide at least three separate locations identified as low-wealth throughout Carteret County on scheduled days during the week that do not coincide with the more common Saturday farmers’ markets which will raise awareness in our community about alternate methods of obtaining fresh local produce, especially in lower-income households who may not have the option of not working on a Saturday to attend traditional markets.Methods:Farm & Food Director and Veggie Van Mobile Market manager Caroline Dominguez will acquire van, arrange for upfitting of insulation, shelving, and proper storage options according to produce type by USDA guidelines and place in service within 3 months of receiving funding.Business Director Stacy Macklin will post mobile market locations on Carteret Local Food Network’s website and social media, arrange for marketing materials to be printed and given out, and facilitate working relationships with potential locations to increase the communities where the Veggie Van is welcomed and encouraged.Currently, we have received approval to operate our Veggie Van Mobile Market on the campus of Carteret Community College, on location at Crystal Coast Performance and Wellness, at the Historic Morehead City Curb Market, and at the Community Building of the Beaufort Housing Authority. Of these four locations, one is identified as a low-income community; we will be adding at least two additional low-income locations before January 2021 and anticipate having at least six prior to December 2021.Objectives: A mobile market allows Carteret Local Food Network to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to central locations in low-income, minority, or elderly housing communities where access to transportation may be challenging to individuals who do not own a vehicle or do not have access to the very limited public transportation options that exist in Carteret County. We anticipate self-reported survey responses to show a 50% increase in fresh food availability in areas where the Veggie Van Mobile Market operates.Methods:At least three separate locations within Carteret County will be identified as easy to access locations or low-income or elderly communities where the Veggie Van will be each week.Caroline Dominguez will work with entities such as the Beaufort Housing Authority, the Carteret County Health Department, our local Housing and Urban Development office, the Department of Social Services, and our Coastal Community Action office to identify areas where access to fresh fruits and vegetables would be most beneficial.Ms. Dominguez will also reach out to Carteret County Area Transportation System, the only public transportation system that exists in Carteret County, to determine where the greatest needs for transportation assistance are in our area for additional mobile market locations.At the initial set up of our Veggie Van Mobile Market, we will have volunteers help participants complete an initial survey asking about food security and access in their neighborhood as well as how they usually purchase fresh foods and how affordable these items are within their personal budgets.Follow up surveys will be completed at six and twelve months on location to measure the impact of bringing fresh local foods to these communities and we anticipate a 50% increase in self-reported food access and security as well as a noticeable shift in where these items are purchased.initial survey responses will be recorded the first time an individual visits our Veggie Van Mobile Market, whether or not a purchase is made, and contact information will be recorded for later follow up;survey responses will be documented again at six and twelve months and compared and analyzed to verify that Carteret Local Food Network is on track to meet our goals;survey responses will show an increase in comfort with purchasing, cooking, and trying new food items from initial survey responses;survey responses will show respondents feel that they are making positive diet choices and are encouraged to try cooking novel items and experimenting with new recipes;survey responses will also show that individuals report purchasing fresh local foods is easier, more convenient, and more affordable.Objective: Carteret Local Food Network has recently received approval as a SNAP/EBT authorized retailer and we are working with partners like Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) to implement the FreshBucks Program, doubling the buying power of EBT shoppers through a grant from the USDA and offering a Senior Mobile Market Loyalty Program through Veggie Van Mobile Market Toolkit, the Mobile Market Summit, and the Veggie Van Study led by the University at Buffalo and plan to implement one or both of these programs in 2021, making the purchase of fresh produce more affordable.Methods:SNAP/EBT signs will be placed one day prior to mobile market days at the chosen location to further encourage low-income families to bring their EBT cards and participate.If FreshBucks or Senior Mobile Market Loyalty Programs are approved for funding for Carteret Local Food Network, they will be implemented as soon as possible.If FreshBucks or Senior Mobile Market Loyalty Programs are not approved for funding, Carteret Local Food Network will host fundraisers in collaboration with the Historic Morehead City Curb Market and/or the Market at Cedar Point and/or on its own to raise funds to help offset the costs associated with produce purchases to minimize the financial impact of purchasing fresh foods for lower-income households.We may also be able to offer additional discount of 25% to individuals who receive WIC, Medicaid, or whose children receive free or reduced lunch. Individuals can self-report if they qualify for this discount, so it will be an honor system. We will not offer this specific discount to individuals who receive SNAP/EBT as the intention is to help reduce costs for individuals who may be experiencing financial hardship but either do not qualify for SNAP, couldn't apply, or otherwise are not receiving that assistance. Potential funding for these discounts will come from Carteret Local Food Network approaching health facilities such as Carteret Health Care or educational entities such as the NC State University Cooperative Extension and the USDA for other opportunities to offset SNAP/EBT transaction fees or to implement a discount incentive programs to further encourage individuals to eat healthier.Objective: In 2021, we anticipate reaching at least 250 separate households via our Veggie Van, offering education about produce items available, simple recipes that can be handed out for easy duplication, taste testing to encourage individuals to try items that they are unfamiliar with, health benefits, and nutritional information for the whole family.Methods:Carteret Local Food Network has an exceptional staff with a wide range of personal and professional strengths that will amplify the education facet of the Veggie Van.Caroline Dominguez is a chef, well-versed in food storage, preservation, preparation, basic kitchen skills, and recipe creation. As she serves as both the Farm & Food Director and the Mobile Market Manager, she is in a unique position with her skills to educate consumers participating in our Veggie Van Mobile Market about everything from how to choose ripe produce to how to prepare it and offer advice on alternate recipes to try.Catherine Elkins is the founder of Carteret Local Food Network as well as a former producer and farmer, operating Underground Farm in Beaufort, NC for several years until it was sold in 2018. As our Board President and constant volunteer, Mrs. Elkins is able to offer advice on growing and planting items that can easily be grown in planters for personal use and her personal list of resources and network connections within our community is staggering.Barbara Chappetta is a member of our Advisory Council as well as an active volunteer. Mrs. Chappetta is also a registered nutritionist and dietician, so she is also an asset for our consumers as she is able to recommend items based on dietary restrictions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or for weight loss or allergies.Stacy Macklin, our Business Director, is well-versed in branding, marketing, graphic design, social media, creating an online presence, and grew up in Carteret County, so she has a personal connection to both the area and the residents. Ms. Macklin is able to design and share graphics, marketing pieces, and recipes, both digitally and in print, in order to share our educational message. She will also be responsible for keeping Carteret Local Food Network’s website and social media up to date with times and locations for the Veggie Van as well as designing, distributing, and analyzing survey results for program evaluation.Success in reaching the goal of 250 households will be measured by the final number of completed surveys at the end of 12 months. Plan of EvaluationCarteret Local Food Network plans to track the impacts of this grant opportunity through perceived fresh fruit and vegetable access measured by using a self-reported survey both prior to and during the implementation of the Veggie Van Program. Examples of questions to be used will include: (1) It is easy to buy fresh fruits and vegetables in my neighborhood; (2) There is a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables in my neighborhood; (3) The fresh fruits and vegetables in my neighborhood are high quality; (4) I can afford to buy enough fresh fruits and vegetables for my family and rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree = 1 to strongly agree = 5.Weekly meetings and progress reports, including total amount of fruits and vegetables sold, will be held between the Mobile Market Manager and the Business Director. Meetings will be held every six weeks between the Mobile Market Manager and Carteret Local Food Network’s Advisory Council to troubleshoot any challenges that the Veggie Van Mobile Market encounters and keep the Council up to date on the progress of the Mobile Market.SNAP/EBT sales reports are required by the USDA. Carteret Local Food Network will use separate point of sale transaction systems for credit/debit payments and SNAP/EBT payments to be able to track SNAP/EBT sales and analyze trends more easily. As such, we expect to see a rise in the number of SNAP/EBT transactions we are processing as more individuals become aware of the opportunity to purchase their fresh produce via our Veggie Van Mobile Market. Currently, we are using a minivan and multiple large, 125-gallon coolers to transport produce from the farmers to our two consistent Mobile Market locations. The purchase of a vehicle specifically upfitted and insulated for cooling, will allow for easier transport and maintain the integrity of our purchased produce, minimizing the waste associated with being unable to keep our produce at optimal temperatures for storage for longer than two to four hours. Successful implementation of the Veggie Van Mobile Market means that Carteret Local Food Network will be able to cut our food waste costs by at least 30%.Budget InformationCarteret Local Food Network is seeking $35,080 in grant funding to help us get our Veggie Van Program off the ground with the proper equipment to allow for long-term sustainability. The largest portion of the grant allows for the Mobile Market Manager’s salary to operate as the driver of the Veggie Van Mobile Market for 15 hours per week for the first year. Mobile Market Manager duties include but are not limited to: Procuring local produce for distribution, maintaining SNAP/EBT training, posting Mobile Market locations and produce available via social media at appropriate times, coordinating volunteer efforts as they pertain to the Mobile Market, driving to and setting up each Market location, breaking down and storing Market items, preserving produce according to USDA and SERV Safe sanitation and storage requirements including continuous training and receiving SERV Save certifications, and maintaining positive relationships with managers of Mobile Market locations, farmers, and consumers.CategoryGrantPrivateIn-KindSubtotalA. Personnel$735.00 $ 735.00 B. Equipment–truck$13,000.00$ 13,000.00C. Signage/Wrap$2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 D. Upfit & Supplies$2,900.00 $ 2,900.00 E. Travel$42.00 $ 42.00 F. Labor$16,380.00$21,320.00 $ 37,700.00 G. Gas$4,160.00 $ 720.00 H. Produce Cost$2,800.00$2,400.00 $ 5,200.00 I. Other$2,000.00 $ 2,000.00 TOTAL$35,080.00$11,060.00$22,097.00 $ 68,237.00 Funds will also be used to purchase a used transit van for easy access and storage and for the upfitting and insulation required to maintain produce integrity beyond a couple of hours, lowering the costs associated with having to purchase produce daily for each individual market, also allowing Carteret Local Food Network to buy produce in bulk, further lowering the cost of food and ensuring that we are able to offer fresh local fruits and vegetables at even lower costs. -9525634365000Carteret Local Food Network has collected nearly $2,500 in donations since the announcement of our intention to begin the implementation of the Veggie Van Mobile Market in June, despite many COVID-19 challenges and according to health guidelines. It has garnered support from many of our constituents, volunteers, board and community members, local farmers, and local businesses. We anticipate that the purchase and upfit of a transit van and first year’s salary for the Market Manager will be the largest obstacles to executing our program quickly and efficiently to meet the needs identified by our community as priorities.04786630*Note: Market Manager Salary is included under Contract Services in Annual Projected Expenses 2021*Note: Market Manager Salary is included under Contract Services in Annual Projected Expenses 20210311023000Carteret Local Food Network believes the Veggie Van Mobile Market Program to be sustainable and looks to model our program after the Local Motive Mobile Farmers’ Market as part of Feast Down East’s outreach (). Our Farm & Food Director and Mobile Market Manager, Caroline Dominguez, has fostered an ongoing relationship and opened lines of communication with the Director of the Local Motive Mobile Farmers’ Market, Jordyn Appel, and regularly participates in other collaborations such as the Mobile Market Network (MMN) which hosts bimonthly Zoom Meetings and conference calls to troubleshoot and collaborate on challenges facing mobile markets as well as offering resources and support across the United States. The MMN is part of Veggie Van Mobile Market Toolkit, the Mobile Market Summit, and the Veggie Van Study led by the University at Buffalo, of which the Local Motive Farmers’ Market was a member of the pilot study. We expect our ongoing annual costs to be supported by Veggie Van Mobile Market Sales as well as ticket sales from our Farms, Food, & Friends Dinners, the sales of our locally sourced CSA boxes, private donations, and Carteret Local Food Network’s annual operating budget. We have identified the following ongoing expenses of operating the Veggie Van Mobile Market and the above pie chart shows the ongoing expenses factored into our Annual Projected Expenses for 2021.Ongoing Annual ExpenseAnnual CostGas $ 4,160.00 Insurance $ 500.00 Market Manager Salary $ 16,380.00 Marketing Materials $ 160.00 Produce Purchases $ 5,200.00 Registration $ 200.00 Total $ 26,600.00 Organizational BackgroundCarteret Local Food Network started as a grassroots movement in 2008 and received 501(c)3 status in 2016 to directly confront the issues of food equality, food security, environmental impact, health, education, and economic development in Carteret County, North Carolina. We work tirelessly to fulfill our mission to protect and promote a local food system that builds community, supports the local economy, nurtures a healthy environment, and produces nutritious, delicious food by:organizing farm to table dinners at local farms to introduce community members to the individuals who procure and produce our meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables while offering tours around the farms to gain an understanding of the effort required to produce food in our area;teaching culinary classes to educate our community members about local seasonal food items and instructing participants in basic recipes that can easily be manipulated based on seasonal availability of food items;offering food demonstrations and tastings at local farmers’ markets to increase awareness of local seasonal produce as well as encourage members of our community to try new foods prepared in new ways;working with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on the development and implementation of the Visit NC Farms mobile application that helps locals and tourists find farms, farmers’ markets, and agritourism-related activities near them, recently expanding from administration from Carteret County alone to include nearby Craven and Onslow counties;offering technical support, services, and marketing advice as well as graphic design assistance and branding to local farmers to help increase their presence on social media, the internet, and within our community;beginning conversations in our community about the importance of implementing a local Food Hub to help local producers with transportation, distribution, and value-added opportunities to assist with local economic development;assisting farmers with reaching additional demographics by helping to transport and sell their produce at additional local farmers’ markets on Saturdays and, amidst COVID-19, helping local farmers with transportation challenges to get their items to local fresh markets during the week;starting a CSA program in our county that focuses on the smaller farms by offering a CSA box that is an assortment of items from multiple farmers who cannot yet independently sustain the challenges of keeping up with the quantity demands that come with CSAs while offering an additional economic channel mid-week for our farmers;Carteret Local Food Network, as a response to COVID-19 in our community, implemented a version of our Veggie Van Program earlier than anticipated due to needs expressed by our farmers for assistance moving their produce to local farmers’ markets and fresh market stores. It started using a personal vehicle and transporting the farmer’s produce to local farmers’ markets who struggled to remain open and serve our community. Our local farmers were straining to meet the demands of our neighborhoods and had great difficulty taking time away from production.References BIBLIOGRAPHY (2018). 2018 Community Needs Assessment. Carteret County Health Department & Carteret Health Care. Retrieved from , P., Ver Ploeg, M., & Farrigan, T. (2012). Characteristics and Influential Factors of Food Deserts. United States Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service. Retrieved from ................
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