Projects
The Food System Scenario Tool (FSST)
- Click Here: To Learn How to Use the Food System Scenario Tool
- Click Here: To Read the Business As Usual Glossary
- Click Here: To Use the Food System Scenario Tool
The Food System Scenario Tool (FSST) is a transparent, web-based, visual tool to help frame policy discussion around the food system developed by FSNE. The main goals of the FSST are:
-
To develop an independent, publicly accessible scenario tool to frame interventions and policy options for regional food security and
-
To build a participatory process that will continually refine and expand the tool and increase its use among stakeholders.
The FSST project began during the summer of 2008. The tool utilizes ‘Business as Usual’ and ‘Wedge’ models. Business as Usual models are constructed by taking historical data and projecting what a particular phenomena will look like if the trend persists at its current rate (See Figure Below). Wedges are a series of quantified solutions to this projected trend (For more information regarding BAUs and Wedges see Pacala and Socolow, 2004) . This unique approach provides a quantitative focus on food system trends, but more critically also offers a suite of data based scenarios to drive policy “wedge" solutions designed to help to mitigate the projection of these negative trends.
To date, the Food System Scenario Tool is comprised of, but not limited to, four major foci: agriculture, the food environment, social justice, and nutritional and health status. Each of these areas is composed of indicators, which identify trends within the food system. For example, within the agriculture theme, trends such as farmland loss, the increasing age of the farming population, and the decreasing revenue from New England farms have been quantified. In concert with the trends, possible “wedges” (solutions) have been identified. Both the foci and their related indicators have been developed from an open, ongoing dialogue with various stakeholders.
[1] Pacala, S. and R. Socolow. 2004. “Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 yrs. with current Technologies.” Science: 35: 968-972.
Voices From the Field: Perspectives on Food System Access
"Voices From the Field: Perspectives on Food System Access" explores food insecurity through those directly experiencing it. This documentary films captures the hardship and resilience of those who have been unable to consistently access fair, affordable and nutritious food. This film was made and produced by Food Solutions New England and the University of New Hampshire.
Click here to watch the video!
Home Grown: The Economic Impact of Local Food Systems in New Hampshire Report from FSNE
This research looks at how the local food system impacts New Hampshire’s economy, including local agricultural employment (including the direct and indirect employment/economic impacts), the potential for local food growth, changes in economic activity resulting from new levels of local food consumption, and policies that may change agricultural activity.
According to the report, “There is potential for expansion of local food production in New Hampshire and with that expansion comes economic opportunity.” Some activities identified by the researchers that could serve to increase local food production include the following:
- Extend both the season for Farmers’ Markets and their geographic scope
- Expand grass-fed “specialty” beef and dairy
- Develop apprenticeship programs to train the next generation of farmers
New England Food Summit
From farmers markets to farm to school programs, the sustainable food movement in New England continues to grow. But healthy, affordable, locally-grown food is beyond the reach of many of our neighbors. To address issues like these and others, March 24-25, 2011 Food Solutions New England at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) brought together decision-makers across the New England food system – from farm to fork to health and nutrition – to plan concrete ways we can work together as a region that we cannot do apart.
The summit -- generously sponsored by Common Vision New England, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Share Our Strength, and the University of New Hampshire Sustainability Academy -- was only the beginning. Next steps on how to collaborate regionally will be announced during the spring and summer of 2011.
Click here to learn more about the summit or the follow up visioning workshop!
New Hampshire Food Advisory Council
Food Solutions New England has partnered with the Children's Alliance of New Hampshire to establish the first NH Food Advisory Council. The purpose of convening this multi stakeholder coalition is to address the sustainability and accessibility of New Hampshire’s food system in a creative and comprehensive way. This systems-based approach will be designed to address the immediate needs of those directly experiencing hunger as well as to build intermediate and long term strategies to address the causes of hunger and inadequate food intake experienced by many vulnerable residents. With an initial focus on child hunger and nutrition, the New Hampshire Food Advisory Council will provide input and help formulate a Plan to End Child Hunger in New Hampshire. Learn more...
