Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Let's put an end to the starving college student era! We can end college student food insecurity. This conference grant is designed to build capacity between colleges/universities and food systems in to decrease college student food insecurity. Lead by the Hunger-Free Higher Ed is a network of state-wide (Alabama and Kentucky) post-secondary colleges/universities with efforts to implement strategies to decrease college student food insecurity, the conference will build and strengthen partnerships, explore tools, best practices, and strategies used to address student food and nutrition needs. Poster and oral presentations from Alabama and Kentucky coalition partners will highlightcampus-specific impacts/outcomes regarding strategies, policies, and systems to decrease food insecurity. Additionally, coalition partners will have the opportunity to network with food industry partners (Dairy Council, Aramark, Nature Made) and community food-aid stakeholders (SNAP, WIC, Farmer's Market, and East Alabama Food Bank). The conference will be hosted in Montgomery, AL on November 14-15, 2024, and directed by a committee of food-aid resource stakeholders representing different organizations. In addition to the Alabama and Kentucky coalition members, some of the attendees will include; Alabama Arise, Alabama Community College System administrators, Auburn University administrators, Alabama state officials, select Alabama County Extension Coordinators, End Child Hunger in AL, Feeding AL, nutrition students enrolled in Public Health Nutrition at Auburn University, and student representatives from campus coalitions. The conference also offers opportunities for non-member coalition students to attend break-out sessions. The conference has the potential to increase awareness/knowledge of college student food insecurity, increase food-aid resources for college students in Alabama and Kentucky, and increase inter-organizational collaborations and support.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Goals / Objectives
1.Provide a platform for food-aid resource stakeholders to present policy, systems and environmental initiatives and corresponding impact/outcome data through oral and poster presentations.2.Extend and expand membership to ACCBN, with a particular focus on food industry organizations, restaurants, food councils, and grocery store.3.Increase knowledge and practice of evidence-based strategies included in the Hunger Free Higher Ed Approach.4. Connect student food-aid organizations to food organizations, restaurants, food councils, and grocery stores.
Project Methods
The Feeding Change: Nourishing Alabama's and Kentucky's Future conference will convene in the state capitol of Montgomery, AL. Invited attendees (>3500) include individuals within the following organizations; Feeding AL (food banks), AL Arise (citizen advocates), Auburn University (Research and Extension), Central AL regional Planning and Development Commission, United Way of Central Alabama, Tuskegee University Carver Integrative Sustainability Center, statewide food-aid resource organizations, state agencies (Education, ADAI, DOT), regional office representatives (FNS/USDA), national organizations, grocers, and policy makers. The conference will give attendees the opportunity to attend breakout sessions with topics under the following themes: 1. Emerging Issues in Agriculture; 2. Rural Food Infrastructure; 3. Enhancing Food Access; 4. Bridging Gaps, Building Resilience; 5. Food as Medicine; and 6. Cultivating Skills for Impact.