appendix c: survey
public reSpoNSeS to the NorthamptoN Food Security SurVey
is one of the most important issues for establishing a more viable local food system. Respondents affirmed this in their written comments; they offered to assist with community networking, outreach, and communication more than any other form of help.
Members of the core client group created the survey in order to elicit the public’s current relationship to and knowledge of food security. People were able to respond on the website of Grow Food Northampton, a network of citizens interested or participating in local food issues in some way. From the responses of over a hundred people to open-ended and multiple-choice questions, it is clear that an overwhelming majority of respondents are already concerned and educated about nutrition and local food issues. The majority said they intentionally purchase from local producers, support local food stores, shop at farmers’ markets, cultivate gardens, maintain a compost pile, cook from scratch, and preserve food, or they said that they want to engage in these activities. The survey needed to be accessed through the Grow Food Northampton website, which partially explains the respondents’ overwhelming interest in local food issues. It is hard to say therefore if their responses are an accurate indication of the overall community’s knowledge about and involvement in these issues. Future surveys and fact-finding in the community should help answer this question.
A fair number of people who responded said they would like to, but currently do not: (a) have a community garden plot; (b) have a garden at their own home; (c) work on or manage a small farm; (d) raise chickens; and/or (e) hunt or fish. They indicated that though they want to engage in food cultivation, the biggest obstacles seem to be a lack of access to land and a lack of knowledge about cultivation techniques. By connecting with the many people who can clearly offer the resources they need, these they might be better able to engage in these activities.
The survey was also helpful for building a local food network; 95% of respondents signed up to be contacted about future focus groups and local skill-sharing opportunities. 45% wrote personal responses offering specific resources, knowledge, skills, and energy of all types that they wished to share to contribute to local food security. Many people said they could offer education, advice and help with small-scale gardening, sustainable farming, herbs, herbal medicines, and food preservation. A few said they would like to contribute land, while others said they needed land. People seem to be aware that strengthening their social and economic networks
In this population of people who are mostly aware of, or active in local food issues in some way, there is a large number (40%) who “somewhat” have trouble and 7% who “often” have a problem accessing healthy, nutritious food. In their written comments, respondents confirm that cost is one of the biggest obstacles. About 11% said they “often” use food stamps and/or receive aid from food banks, and 20% said they do “somewhat.” A good deal of nutritious, and/or local food is more expensive than much food produced by large-scale agribusiness. Economic incentives encouraging fossil-fuel use and large-scale agribusiness make their products cheaper than local producers who do not get comparable economic assistance. It is becoming increasingly difficult for many people to afford food they know to be the most healthy and/or local, even when they want to. The ever-rising costs of all living expenses relative to wages also contributes greatly. Economic incentives encouraging the production and consumption of locally-produced food is essential for strengthening local food security and for building community around local food. (The survey questions appear on the following three pages.)
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