2016-2017 Faculty Research Grant
Garth Woodruff (Agriculture)
A multiple case study of three sustainable business models for local healthy food delivery systems in under privileged urban areas.
Current research indicates that non-communicable disease is significantly triggered by lifestyle habits. One third of Americans are overweight and another third are obese, leading to these preventable diseases. The state of Michigan has combatted this in recent past with funding for food availability to regions that demonstrate these health attributes. An accepted correlation between food equity (defined by income, health education, and food accessibility) and these same non-communicable diseases has been identified. In an attempt to address these social disparities, funding was slated (2014 & 2015) through the Michigan 4x4 Plan for studies of food accessibility in USDA Food Deserts. Current preliminary research results from two of our own studies indicate many of the obstacles for bridging local food with healthy food deficient segments. However, more questions surfaced then solutions in results.
The proposed research for the summer of 2016 is a result of requested analysis by the Be Healthy Berrien steering committee. To better provide a sustainable business, while generating greater Food Desert healthy purchasing, the committee has proposed the development and testing of three different business models with the existing Department of Agriculture Mobile Farmers Market.
The proposed research develops three unique business models including: product supply chains, value added offerings, time and location delivery mechanisms, marketing, education, preferred product evaluation and funding streams. These case studies will be predicated on creating a delivery system that bridges local produce with healthy option deficient segments in the County. With the model concepts developed and vetted, the Mobile Market will then test each during a two-week trial for a total of six weeks in the community for comparative results.