Readiness, outcomes, and capacity for future sustainability of food policy councils created through SNAP-Ed

A case study

Abstract

Communities have formed food policy councils (FPCs) to address inequities in the food system by advancing policy, system, and environmental change (PSE) strategies, including through the SNAP-Ed program, but this approach has not been studied. To address this gap, we employed a case study approach with the aim of exploring (1) components of readiness for groups to start an FPC; (2) sector and priority population engage­ment in FPCs; (3) PSE strategies adopted as a result of FPC efforts; and (4) capacity for the future sustainability of FPCs receiving funding and ongoing training and technical assistance as a part of SNAP-Ed programming. Seven South Carolina groups interested in starting FPCs in partnership with SNAP-Ed participated in the study. They were interviewed to explore their readiness, sub­mitted ongoing tracking documents on engagement and PSE strategies, and completed sustainability assessment surveys and interviews. Groups demon­strated motivation and capacity to start or expand FPCs, though capacity-building needs were also identified. Engagement increased over a two-year period where ‘government or elected officials,’ ‘education,’ and ‘business/economic development’ became the most engaged sectors, while priority populations were most commonly engaged through a ‘consult’ or ‘inform’ approach. Forty-nine PSE strategies were adopted, with ‘initiation, improve­ment, expansion, reinvigoration, or maintenance of edible gardens’ being the most common strategy implemented and ‘community organization’ the most common setting. Capacity for future sustaina­bility of FPC scores increased over time for ‘fund­ing stability,’ ‘organizational capacity,’ and ‘adapta­tion’ domains, while other domains decreased. Results demonstrate evidence to justify the contin­uation of funding for FPCs through SNAP-Ed to advance PSE strategies. Further exploration is needed on how to ensure sustainability and that people eligible for SNAP-Ed are the ones leading FPCs.