Vancouver Food Asset Map: Training Workshops

Background Information

Mapping food assets is a useful method for bringing forth the strengths, gaps and areas for improvement in local food systems. Also, community service providers can use these maps to help their clients access food, enhance food literacy and build community connections.

Further, food maps can highlight the unequal distribution of assets within a city or region, allowing for a way to consider the barriers communities face to making sure all residents have access to good food. As stated in a report by Food Secure Canada https://foodsecurecanada.org/resources-news/resources-research/mapping-food-matters-resource-place-based-food-mapping, "food system mapping encourages a vision of locally-based food self-reliance. This is not with the intention of withdrawing from the global community. Rather, by growing our abundance at a local level we can encourage and support others to do the same. With full bellies and hearts, we can all participate in creating a culture of peace and plenty locally and globally."

Vancouver’s cost of living is high and the population is extremely diverse. Communicating about food assets and other health and community supports with vulnerable families who are difficult to reach and for whom English is a second language is challenging. The free Google mapping application is being used to share information with community members and partners and will help with future strategic planning. The BC Food Security Gateway website includes more provincial and local food security documents: http://bcfoodsecuritygateway.ca/

Organization Information

Name

Vancouver Coastal Health

Vision + Mission

Vision: We will be leaders in promoting wellness and ensuring care by focusing on quality and innovation.

Mission: We are committed to supporting healthy lives in healthy communities with our partners through care, education and research.

(Information available at: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/strategy/)

Values + Goals

Values:

• Service: We will provide outstanding service and respond to needs in a timely and innovative manner.
• Integrity: We will serve openly and honestly in a caring and compassionate environment.
• Sustainability: We will focus on effectiveness, efficiency, best practices and health outcomes, holding ourselves responsible for results

Goals: We are guided by four organizational goals to achieve our vision.

1. Provide the best care
2. Promote better health for our communities
3. Develop the best workforce
4. Innovate for sustainability

Strategic Framework: People First

• Our people first strategy shapes how we approach our vision, mission, values and goals.

Our VCH strategic priorities is a guiding framework is for operational planning, priority setting, and identifying opportunities for strategic investment of time, people and financial resources. (Information available at: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/strategy )

Primary Contact

• Kathy Romses, MA, RD
• Public Health Dietitian
• Email: Kathy.Romses@vch.ca
• Address: Evergreen Community Health Centre, 3425 Crowley Drive, Vancouver, B.C., V5R 6G3
• Phone: 604-872-2511 local 3318
• Best time(s) method(s) to contact: Monday – Thursday, phone or e-mail

Project Description

Overall this project is intended to provide a training workshop at two different times for Downtown Eastside (DTES) and Vancouver service providers to help them support their clients to find food in Vancouver and build connections with their community using the Vancouver Food Asset Map (VFAM). Also, obtain verbal and written feedback during the workshops on how the Map can be improved and promoted to individuals or families facing hunger issues.

The key student deliverables include:

1. Organize a training workshop at two different times for service providers in the DTES or Vancouver area who work with individuals or families facing hunger issues. The workshop will

include a demonstration of the VFAM, scenarios to use the VFAM, and asking for verbal and written feedback on how the Map can be improved and promoted to vulnerable populations.

1. Work with the Potluck Café Society that provides job opportunities to residents of Vancouver's DTES to plan food for the participants of the workshops. Funding is available from a UBC Community Engagement grant to purchase the food.
2. Write a summary report of feedback received from workshop and evaluation forms.

Skills Preferred

• Good verbal and written and communication skills
• Good computer skills
• Interest in supporting those who are food insecure

Skills to Be Developed

• Using the online Vancouver Food Asset Mapping (VFAM) tool
• Preparing a training workshop on how the VFAM can be used to help find food for clients of DTES and Vancouver service providers
• Working with a caterer to plan food for the training workshop
• Obtaining verbal and written feedback from DTES service providers on how the Map can be improved and promoted to individuals or families facing hunger issues
• Understanding the complexity and implications of operating and accessing the Charitable Food System

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

Timing is flexible. Students may need to work during business hours in order to contact some community partners. However, most of the work can be organized to fit the student’s schedule. Students need to arrange a mutually suitable time with community partners to pilot test the tool in community settings..

Project/Partner Orientation

• Date/Time: Monday, January 22, 2-3 PM
• Location: To be determined

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Students will have the opportunity to prepare a training workshop for DTES and Vancouver service providers who can use the VFAM to help their clients find food and build connections with their community.