Bolstering the Regional Food System
The Foundation continues to explore ways to improve the region’s food system with an understanding that food access and affordability are key variables when improving the health status of communities. In 2021, Cameron engaged Food Works Group and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center for Urban and Regional Analysis to work in tandem on an evaluation that would inform the Foundation’s future philanthropic approaches to addressing the diverse challenges in the food system across the area.
The quantitative study identified food-insecure populations at the neighborhood level using proximity to food providers, transit accessibility and socio-economic conditions. This research has led to creation of a searchable tool (available at camfound.org/about-us/publications) to help service providers make resource allocation decisions for communities across the Tri-Cities area. The evaluation also underscored the importance of supporting existing efforts to make healthy foods more accessible and affordable, including investing in planning, operations, infrastructure and replication efforts.
In one example, the Foundation began grantmaking to River Street Market (pictured here) in 2020. Using a marketplace model, the organization strives to support a healthy, sustainable food system and to contribute to the success of local food growers, producers and artisans. It accepts Electronic Benefits Transfer cards and offers a 1:1 matching incentive program to double the purchasing value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits used to buy fruits, vegetables and plants. River Street Market, in conjunction with Petersburg Healthy Options Partnership, hosts markets like this one in six neighborhoods across Petersburg every week and at the Petersburg Public Library several days a week. To date, the Foundation has awarded $74,597 to River Street Market for its work.
To read more stories like this, visit the Foundation’s 2020/21 Biennial Report.