FASWG Food Access

The Central Appalachian Food and Agricultural Systems Working Group (FASWG) Healthy Food Access welcomes all community partners working towards a fair food system to create healthy, local food for all. This Working Group addresses the reality that in both rural and urban areas, low-income families experience high levels of food insecurity and poor dietary options. This lack of access can lead to hunger, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Many rural communities across Appalachia exist in food deserts, where residents have limited access to fresh and healthy food. This Working Group hopes to draw connections between food producers, food pantries, and food-insecure families who need access to healthy, fresh, local food.

WHO SHOULD JOIN

Regional actors, from farmers markets to food pantries, are collaborating to improve food access by connecting low-income families to fresh, healthy, local foods. Advocacy, education, and investment in food access are critical to ensuring healthy rural people and economies. We have an open invitation to all who are invested in increasing access to healthy foods to join the conversation.

MEETING DETAILS

Contact CAN for the next meeting

CO-CHAIRS

• Alexis Close, Program Director with Appalachian RC&D Council
• Leslie Schaller, Director of Programs with Appalachian Center for Economic Networks

WORKING GROUP PRODUCTS

A Fair Food System: A Summit on Scalable Solutions to Creating Community Food Systems