Here is an opportunity to participate in a creative process to crowdsource and analyze concepts and strategies that are important for promoting social equity through local food systems. 

This project is a joint effort of ICMA, the Food Policy Networks project at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, and the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

To identify what is most important to stakeholders, a “concept mapping” process will be used. Ideas will be solicited and statistical techniques will be employed to sort through all of the information.

The input will be compiled and shared with interested parties to inform strategic thinking and tactical approaches to enhancing social equity through local food systems, with a particular focus on opportunities for local governments.

The project has three main steps, and individuals can participate in some or all of the steps:

1. Brainstorming: Generate ideas related to improving aspects of social equity through food systems (estimated time commitment: 5-10 minutes via online survey).
2. Sorting and Rating: Categorize and rate ideas collected from the brainstorming session (estimated time commitment: 60-90 minutes via online interface).
3. Interpretation: Review and provide feedback on preliminary analyses and applications of information collected (estimated time commitment: 2 hours, in-person or via webinar).

Participate in this two-minute survey to indicate your interest in any of the steps listed above, which authorizes the project team to invite you to one or more steps in the future. Responses are due March 31, 2017. Direct questions to Berna Oztekin at boztekin@icma.org.