Browsing by Author "Harden, Noelle"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Cultivating collective action: The ecology of a statewide food network
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension, 2015-11-02) Harden, Noelle; Bain, Jamie; Heim, Stephanie
    In order to continue to foster and grow a sustainable partnership with food network leaders across the state, Health and Nutrition educators explored the opportunities and challenges presented by the emergence of a statewide food network in Minnesota and the role of Extension within it. This report provides a summary of the findings from interviews with leaders of other statewide and multi-state food networks, and highlights opportunities, challenges, and best practices that emerged through 10 categories that describe the different phases and key activities of a network. Additionally, the report findings are presented through an overarching concept of understanding networks as ecosystems (see infographic on p age 3), because the processes at play within food networks mimic many of those found in nature.
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    How to Use the Regional Profiles on Healthy Food Access
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2013-08) DeBlieck, Susan; Dover, Sally; Harden, Noelle; Onzere, Sheila; Dybsetter, Anne; Bain, Jamie
    Beginning in November 2012, the Regional Profiles on Healthy Food Access were created for six regions of the state. Data were compiled by University of Minnesota Extension educators as part of the statewide Community Transformation Initiative for Healthy Eating. The primary purpose of the Regional Profiles on Healthy Food Access was to understand the social determinants of health in order to identify populations with 1) significant health inequities, and 2) limited access to healthy food. This understanding would then enhance regional work on behalf of the Community Transformation Initiative for Healthy Eating.
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    Making Soup: 8 Ingredients for Successful Food Network Collaboration
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension, 2014-10) Harden, Noelle; Onzere, Shiela
    What makes a food network successful? Extension educators interviewed five core members from three rural food networks in Minnesota. The report offers eight strategies for improved collaboration.
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    Minnesota Food Network Landscape
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2014-10) Bain, Jamie; Meisenhelter, Jesse; Harden, Noelle
    Food networks are a growing trend in Minnesota and across the country. Food networks are a collaborative body consisting of food advocates in a region, which gather to generate collective impact around policy, systems, and environmental approaches related to food, agriculture, health, economy, and/or the environment. Food networks range in size, capacity, governance, and operational structure. In the summer of 2014, interviews were conducted with leaders of 18 food networks across the state to assess the current landscape of food networks in Minnesota. The northern half of the state along with the metro area has at least one, and up to three, food networks in each county, whereas, the central and southern half of the state have minimal food network representation. Food networks are diverse; however, a structural theme for the networks is to have a small governing body, a quarterly network meeting with 20-50 participants, and task forces that meet to address issues/projects such as marketing and outreach, food access, food infrastructure, urban agriculture, education, and food literacy. Membership in food networks is multi-sectorial and can be voluntary, application-based, or appointed positions. The preliminary project for most food networks is to conduct a community needs assessments, followed by policy recommendations related to improving food access for local jurisdictions. Many food networks in Minnesota are also responsible for implementing EBT-eligible farmers markets. Challenges faced by food networks include a lack of time, unclear governance and member accountability, as well as difficulty in navigating multiple jurisdictions within a region.
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    Northwest Regional Access Profile
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2013-03) Harden, Noelle
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    Statewide Food Policy Councils: Considerations for Minnesota Policymakers
    (Food Policy Research Center, 2014-08) Dover, Sally; Dybsetter, Anne; Harden, Noelle; Heim, Stephanie; Onzere, Shiela