Everyone at the Table: A community food equity assessment of Harrisonburg, VA

In the 2014 Food Deserts in Virginia Report, Harrisonburg ranked 4th out of eight cities with reported high levels of low-income residents. According to the report, 18.4% of Harrisonburg residents are food insecure (8,860 people). A broad-based food equity assessment, Harrisonburg EATs (Everyone at the Table), was conducted to help the city and residents to strategically plan to improve food security and community well-being. Virginia Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with Skeo – a community planning and design firm based in Charlottesville, conducted research to learn how the local food system currently functions in meeting residents’ day-to-day food needs. The research included surveys, interviews, listening groups, data analysis, mapping priority equity zones, synthesizing recommendations, and highlighting community assets. Participants shared community-based goals for strengthening the Harrisonburg food system. The research and assessment identified six food equity zones based on specific food access and security criteria. Recommendations as a starting point for creating a more just, resilient, thriving community-focused food system in Harrisonburg included: 1) increase food retail spaces in food equity zones, 2) provide land for home and small-scale urban farming enterprises, 3) build capacity for urban and rural food and farming enterprises, 4) educate the community on food equity issues and opportunities, and 5) develop a Harrisonburg Food Equity Council.