Engaging Rural Community Members with Food Policy Councils to Improve Food Access: Facilitators and Barriers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study is a secondary assessment of data from a multi-state project called Voices for Food. The purpose was to determine facilitators and barriers to community stakeholders’ (n = 171) and food pantry clients’ (n = 612) engagement with food policy councils (FPCs) among rural Midwestern communities. Quantitative and qualitative data from surveys were examined across three data collection time points (baseline = 0, midpoint = 24, and post = 36 months). In addition to determining the sectors represented in council membership, barriers to and facilitators of participation in the council were identified. This information can be used to engage all types of community members in FPC work.