named programs were Master’s Table (for meals), the Summer Food Program (for student meals), and the Red Cross (for emergency food needs).
Strengths in the Food System In both the focus group and the interviews with Valley food pantries, participants were asked about what they identify as the particular strengths of the food system in the Valley. In all cases, the discussion of strengths was short, which is not to say that there are few strengths in the system, but is more likely because the context of the interviews and focus group is one of improving the food system and identifying ways to help more people in the Valley. The school districts cited the availability of the SNAP program as well as the existing food pantries in the Valley as strengths of the system in their focus group discussion. In their interviews, participants from the food pantries cited the generosity of the community and its willingness to come together as a significant strength, as well as the focus on providing food to friends and neighbors in need that all of the Valley pantries share. Although limited communication was an often cited weakness of the system (discussed later), it should be noted here that all participants see the Valley Council Food Security Task Force as a significant strength of the Valley system – particularly the way in which it has brought all of the key stakeholders together to discuss hunger issues in the Valley. The ongoing discussions, meetings, and evolution of the task force are likely to reinforce its role as a critical connection within the system.
Weaknesses in the Food System The providers who participated in the focus group and the interviews shared a variety of weaknesses or areas for improvement for the Valley food system, as well as ideas for how they might improve the system. A detailed summary of the responses can be found in APPENDIX C, and a brief overview is below:
Communication – Although all participating providers acknowledge that the Valley Council
Food Security Task Force has enabled and fostered communication amongst key stakeholders in the Valley food system, many still cited communication as an area in need of improvement. Most pantries focus on doing what they can with what they have rather than expend limited time, resources, and volunteer labor on communicating with others— yet they recognize the value of being able to communicate and share information where applicable and appropriate. Two of the proposed collaboration ideas (discussed in the next subsection) are to create a food network in the Valley or to develop a database for exchanged information, both of which have the potential to increase communication within the system.
United Way of Connecticut | Community Results Center
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