7. Archway Community Services

Project Description

Note: This project will take place online and in person

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

Collaborating with various partners, the Food Justice program explores food justice and food sovereignty in action. We are working to strengthen the local food system, to identify gaps in services, and to provide access to nutritious food for all community members. Collectively, we are developing the Fraser Valley Food Connection (FVFC), a network of food system players that share a unified goal of building a community centered around food. The FVFC will operate out of a central location that will host community-led food programming and will bring people together in an inviting, inclusive and inspiring environment. Our hope is to support community empowerment through skill building, education, and knowledge-sharing programs.

Main Project Activities and Deliverables

Archway Community Services is looking for a better understanding of the impact of our Bulk Buying Collective, and whether it is meeting the food needs and interests of our current (and potential) members. Just as we have adapted our food bank distribution baskets to include South Asian-friendly and halal options (and would love to develop additional culturally relevant basket options), we see the opportunity for our Bulk Buying Collective to better serve the diverse range of food needs and interests in our community.

LFS 350 students can help us develop an evaluation plan so we can understand our impact, and identify opportunities for us to improve the Bulk Buy Collective, perhaps including the procurement of culturally diverse food items. We know there are other potential adjustments that are not currently on our radar, and welcome the opportunity to grow our understanding from a systematic and evidence-based place. Students can help us identify/evaluate gaps in program delivery, including recommendations and/or creation of tools to support the implementation of the recommendations.

Examples of tools include:

• Media creation for social media marketing of program
• Survey model for service provider engagement on how to best elevate the program
• Survey model for service provider engagement on increasing equitable access to healthy, culturally appropriate foods for our diverse community

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

• interest in evaluation and program development
• interest in community food programming

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

• One Bulk Buy Collective program day. This runs every second Saturday of the month and students are able to attend in the morning from 10am-12pm to observe the process and interact with volunteers/participants.

Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?

• Yes. Students should communicate with the partner so the process can be initiated before the first meeting.

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: Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
• 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): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
• Finalizing the deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

• Visiting our Food Bank, volunteering with us, attending bulk buy distribution day

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.

• Students should familiarize themselves with the food security work that we do: archway.ca/food and abbotsfordfoodbank.com
• Please review the business case for the FVFC (request document from community partner)

Additional Materials

• Abadia, M.G. & Lin, J. (2009). Nonprofit Cost Analysis Toolkit: Six Steps to Finding the True Costs of Programs
• Britannia Bulk Buying Club/Grandview-Woodland Food Connection
• UBC Equity and Inclusion Office - Activating Inclusion Toolkit