Project Title
Gathering Community Preferences to Inform Fernwood's "Good Food Box" Procurement
Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
Organization Information
Organization Name
[1]Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
Mission + Vision
Fernwood NRG is committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood.
Guiding Principles + Values
In 2005, Fernwood NRG drafted a Declaration of Principles and Values. The following eleven statements are our promise to the residents of Fernwood:
- We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood;
- We are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets;
- We are committed to using our resources prudently and to becoming financially self-reliant;
- We are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment;
- We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them;
- We are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives;
- We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness;
- We are committed to developing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves;
- We are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood’s heritage and diversity;
- We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive; and, most of all,
- We are committed to having fun!
Contact Information
- Primary Contact Person(s): Susan Kim, she/her
- Email: susan@fernwoodnrg.ca
- Phone: 250-381-1552
- Address: 1240 Gladstone Ave., Victoria, BC V8T 1G6
- Website: https://fernwoodnrg.ca/
Preferred Method of Contact
- Best method(s) to contact: Email
- Best day(s) to contact: M-F
- Best time(s) to contact: Flexible
Preferred Platform(s) for Remote Collaboration
- In person, Zoom
Project Description
Note: This project will take place online. A site visit to Fernwood can be arranged and would be an enhancement for all.
Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?
The Good Food Box is a project of Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group, whose other food security initiatives include community meals, public gardens, and skill-building workshops on food cultivation, processing, and cooking. Good Food Box is a non-profit, alternative fruit and vegetable distribution system, to increase sustainability, food access, social justice and health. Boxes are lovingly packed and delivered by hard-working volunteers, helping to keep costs affordable for our members. We purchase the highest quality produce and ensure variety, freshness and affordability. We prioritize locally grown, unsprayed produce with a focus on seasonal fruits and vegetables from local and regional farmers. We do source from other places but are always trying to buy close to home.
Membership is open for everyone regardless of income level — we are stronger and more sustainable the larger our customer base. As we look to expand our membership base, we would like to understand the food needs and interests of community members who are not currently subscribed. Among our existing subscribers, we have observed an underrepresentation of populations (such as students and single-parent households) who we would love to connect with. Having a greater understanding of their contexts would help us plan and adapt our efforts accordingly.
Applying market research principles to community engagement processes, LFS 350 students will help us understand the food needs and interests of potential members in and around Victoria. We anticipate that affordability and culturally relevant foods will be a priority, which may have implications for our emphasis on local and regional procurement.
Related to this research, we are also looking for ways to raise our profile so we can reach more community members.
Main Project Activities and Deliverables
Anticipated activities include:
- Work with Fernwood staff on developing effective gathering data strategies consistent with our community-focused values
- We are open to brainstorming and discussion data gathering options, with students selecting methods (e.g. focus group scripts, survey, group discussion question list, interviews with local service providers) according to their interests and potential quality of deliverables
- With input from Fernwood staff, develop relevant data gathering materials (e.g. survey questions, focus group questions)
- With input from Fernwood staff, develop a dissemination strategy that includes target numbers and other relevant parameters
- Support aspects of the implementation plan that are possible in a remote/virtual context (phone calls, Zoom calls)
- Summarize findings and student recommendations in a format to be discussed with community partner (e.g. infographic, written report)
Note: As travel to Victoria may be required for this project, students will need to complete a travel and accommodation budget. Please discuss your TA for more information.
Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)
- Cross-cultural communication and understanding of equity issues affecting food security
- Interest in asset-based community development
- Interest/experience in sustainability food procurement and distribution
- Interest/experience in market research
- Language skills in addition to English are an asset
Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?
- No
Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?
- No
How much self-direction is expected from the students?
- Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Equal leadership between students and community partner
- Developing the activity plan and timeline: Led by students with some input from community partner
- Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Led by students
- Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Equal leadership between students and community partner
- Finalizing the deliverable(s): Led by students
Related Community Service Opportunities for Students
- We would be happy to arrange a site visit (please speak to your TA about potential travel arrangements)
- We have many volunteering opportunities (e.g. packing food boxes, sorting, distribution support) to get a deeper understanding of our program and our community.
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
- Resilient Neighbourhoods Toolkit. City of Vancouver
- Activating Inclusion Toolkit. UBC Equity and Inclusion Office
- Checklist for Accessible and Inclusive Event Planning and Respectful Dialogues Guide. UBC Equity and Inclusion Office
- Browse past UBC MFRE project highlights for inspiration! For a complete list of past projects, contact Janelle Tan (Graduating Projects Manager) at janelle.tan@ubc.ca
Expected Outcomes
Intended Short-term Project Outcome
Fernwood NRG's Good Food Box Team has greater insight into the needs/interests/barriers of potential subscribers, to inform more effective marketing and procurement practices
Learning Outcomes
Through this project, I think students will learn about...
- Food needs/interest/barriers facing Victoria residents
- Food security and insecurity in BC
- Grassroots efforts to address affordability challenges
By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...
- Practical aspects of food procurement and distribution
- Practical aspects of volunteer mobilization
- Tensions between culturally relevant and affordable foods in relation to local procurement practices
By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...
- The role of marketing and market research in advancing food justice
- How putting theory into practice has real impacts on communities