Progress 09/15/18 to 09/14/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by Tricycle's Corner Farm program are Richmond City residents living in USDA-defined food deserts. Tricycle prioritized engaging families, children, and seniors living in subsidized, public, and/or senior housing communities by collaborating with community partners, including with Richmond City Health Department (RCHD) community advocates, Bon Secours Health System, local faith communities, and local nonprofit partners, including YMCA of Richmond and American Heart Association. Richmond City's population has grown over the past several years to approximately 228,783 residents in 2018 (U.S. Census, 2018). The racial/ethnic demographics of Richmond City are 47.8% Black or African American, 46.9% White, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 2.4% Asian, less than 1% American Indian and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, respectively. The median household income was $42,356 in 2017 dollars (U.S. Census, 2013-2017). 24% of Richmond City residents live in poverty (U.S Census, 2018). The demographic and overall health landscape of Richmond, Virginia continues to illustrate socioeconomic and health-related challenges. We know that unhealthy diets that do not include fruits and vegetables often contribute to a variety of health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, and stroke (VCU Center on Society and Health, 2016). A 2007 study conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that low-income neighborhoods have fewer supermarkets than middle-income neighborhoods. The study also found that "the availability of chain supermarkets in African American neighborhoods is only 52% of that in White neighborhoods with even less relative availability in urban areas." In addition, "Hispanic neighborhoods have only 32% as many chain supermarkets compared to non-Hispanic neighborhoods." Richmond City's East End, Northside, and Southside neighborhoods all include census tracts identified by the USDA as "food deserts." These areas also include some of the highest concentrations of poverty in Richmond, including all 6 of the public housing developments in Richmond. According to VCU Center on Society and Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's "Mapping Life Expectancy" report, the average life expectancy in the East End, Southside, and Northside of Richmond is almost fifteen years less than the average life expectancy in neighborhoods just a few miles away. VCU Center on Society and Health's 2016 "Health Equity in Richmond, Virginia" report noted that, [d]uring a focus group with East End residents, parents expressed concerns about barriers to providing healthy food for their children given limited, poor quality, and often unaffordable grocery options." In the absence of a traditional grocery store, many residents living in urban areas with limited healthy food access are primarily purchasing food from local corner stores, which often carry high calorie, processed, and unhealthy foods. This consumption trend has significant health impacts, particularly for youth. National studies have found that purchases at corner stores result in an average of 356.6 calories from snacks and beverages per visit. In 2009, a study was published in Pediatrics that documented purchases children made in corner stores in Philadelphia that were located in close proximity to their schools. The Philadelphia study observed that students spend $1.07 on two items per purchase from corner stores per visit. This study also found that 42% of the urban youth surveyed shop in corner stores two times a day and 53% surveyed visit once a day. Additionally, according to the Virginia Childhood Obesity Survey, only 4% of young people in Virginia meet the USDA recommendation of nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This study also found that 92% of youth surveyed eat snacks such as chips and candy or drink soda at least once a week, and 21% of kids consume it seven days a week. According to the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) aggregated Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, Richmond City's overall adult obesity rate from 2007-2009 was 32.5%, as compared to 25.5% statewide. BRFSS data also showed alarming racial disparity in the City of Richmond, with an adult obesity rate of 23.6% among White citizens and 36.7% among African-Americans. Income variation presents an even greater disparity: individuals in the City of Richmond who make less than $35,000 a year have an obesity rate of 39.8%, as compared with 19% among those with incomes greater than $75,000. Rates of obesity among children are also on the rise. According to the results of the first Virginia Childhood Obesity Survey commissioned by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) in 2010, one in five young people ages 10 to 17 in Virginia is obese or overweight. Minority youth seem to be the most affected, as 26% are overweight or obese for the age compared to white, non-Latino youth (19%). The inaugural VFHY is in line with national trends; in 2008-09, 25.7% of African American children and adolescents ages 6-17 were identified as obese nationwide, as opposed to 14.6% of white children and adolescents. With recognition of the myriad factors that affect a person's overall health, Tricycle has partnered with the American Heart Association, Bon Secours, and the YMCA of Greater Richmond to conduct blood pressure screenings and heart screenings at in-store tastings and other community events. In addition, our partnerships with local faith communities and churches have been instrumental in the development of the Corner Farm program. Tricycle's 31st Street Baptist Church Urban Farm, which grows produce distributed through Corner Farm, is a result of our deep partnership with 31st Street Baptist Church and our collaborative efforts to improve food access in the East End. By incorporating a holistic view of health and wellness, we contribute to building a culture of health within Corner Farm partner stores. Changes/Problems:Tricycle did not encounter any major changes/problems in approach during the grant period (September 15, 2018-September 14, 2019). As with any program, we have modified programming based on community evaluation, including through community surveys, interaction with store customers, and T/A visits at partner stores. For example, weekly T/A visits allowed Tricycle's Food Access Manager to recognize the higher demand for procured food items from community members, including bananas, oranges, and lettuce. Working in partnership with store owners also led to an adjusted approach on infrastructure with adjustments being made based on individual store needs. We have also encountered several issues that challenge the creation of a culture of health within Corner Farm store partners, including "skill games," slot machines that have popped up in convenience stores across the city. According to a July 2019 article in the Richmond Free Press, "more than 4,000 similar machines can be found in gas stations, bars and mostly locally owned convenience stores eager for a new stream of revenue." These games are large and often take up what limited space is available within the stores. In addition, ending the produce 'buy-back' 3-month term has also proven to be a challenge due to constant activity within the stores, as well as the recognition that our corner store partners operate on a slim profit margin. Tricycle leadership began a strategic review of staff structure in 2019, and we have hired a Farm & Fellowship Director who manages Tricycle's urban farm sites and the Certification in Urban Agriculture and Fellowship Program. During times of staff transition, Tricycle leadership and the Food Access Manager maintained all Corner Farm relationships for the duration of the grant period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Tricycle's staff attended the CFP Project Directors meeting in Washington, D.C. in 2018 and 2019. Tricycle's Food Access Manager and Mission Manager traveled to Chicago to take part in the yearly National Corner Store Forum, hosted by Partnership for A Healthier America with NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores), The Food Trust, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation participating. Featuring Healthy Food Retail programs from all over the country, including DC Central Kitchen, Good Food LA, and Top Box Foods in New Orleans, the annual meeting provided a wonderful opportunity each year to meet with other programs to glean best practices and share information about the Corner Farm program. Tricycle's Mission Manager facilitated a round table discussion on Marketing, Customer Communications, and Engagement which featured a display of visual items from corner store programs across the country. Tricycle's Food Access Manager also participates in quarterly calls with the Healthy Corner Store Forum Network, a collaborative group of food access nonprofits/organizations located across the country. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Corner Farm is a partnership between local governments, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, hospital systems, universities, and community members to expand access to healthy food in the Richmond region. Tricycle and our community partners work to increase the availability of healthy foods in the Richmond region by: Offering seasonal selections of fresh produce at Corner Farm corner store sites in Richmond City's food deserts; Training store owners in best practices, and offering technical assistance (T/A) for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce; Providing the necessary infrastructure for the stocking and preservation of fresh produce within participating corner stores to maximize the opportunity for revenue generation and increase the likelihood of continued participation among store owners; Linking store owners with local produce distribution companies, including Rudy's Exotic Mushrooms and Produce and Restaurant Depot, to transition stores to independent produce procurement; Creating consumer awareness of produce availability in the community surrounding each store site through in-store tastings, installing marketing materials, and attending community events; Offering nutrition education programs, including an 8-week cooking series that teaches the fundamentals of cooking and basic nutrition using fresh, seasonal, and minimally-processed ingredients; Partnering with local nonprofit organizations, including the American Heart Association, Bon Secours Health System, and the YMCA of Greater Richmond to conduct free blood pressure screenings. Strong community partnerships are key to our ability to effectively conduct community engagement and outreach. These partnerships include 31st Street Baptist Church, Sixth Mount Zion Church, Richmond's First Baptist Church, Richmond Promise Neighborhood's Action Teams, Richmond City Health District's (RCHD) Food Access and Equity Task Force, and various civic associations and groups. Tricycle's staff has served as a member of the Nutrition and Food Security Working Group that supports Governor Northam's Children's Cabinet since June 2018. Tricycle regularly shares updates on our progress with our community partners at formal community meetings and while participating in community events, such as Senator Jennifer McClellan's annual Community Harvest Festival, National Night Out, neighborhood block parties, and local celebrations and festivals. In addition, the impact of increased access to fresh, healthy produce cannot be overstated, particularly the importance of a well-balanced diet for children and youth. Tricycle, in partnership with community members, developed interactive, fun marketing materials and signage to encourage young people to try fresh produce options. For example, Tricycle's Corner Farm signage includes colorful displays and plays on words: "Kale Yeah!, Straight Outta RVA, and Let's Turnip the Beet." Tricycle and partner organizations are also creating sustainable urban agriculture sites within target neighborhoods, offering education to community members, not only in the consumption of fresh, local produce but in the cultivation and distribution of harvested produce. In order to measure the long-term outcomes of the program, Tricycle began a formal evaluation of the Corner Farm program in October 2018 based on recommendations by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Coach. The evaluation will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2020. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?N/A. Tricycle's grant period ended on September 14, 2019.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact: The ultimate impact of the Corner Farm program is the increased availability of healthy, local produce for individuals and families in the Richmond region. In the absence of a traditional grocery store, many residents of urban food deserts primarily purchase food from local corner stores, which often carry processed foods that are unhealthy and high in calories. Corner Farm provided access to fresh produce to residents of Richmond City and Henrico County through our partnerships with 29 corner stores located in neighborhoods with limited healthy food access. In total, 99,526 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed through the program, with 517 pounds of distributed produce grown by Tricycle Urban Ag on RVA's Urban Farms, located in the Manchester and Church Hill neighborhoods of Richmond City. Additionally, by working with store owners to provide training and support in best practices for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce, Corner Farm corner store partners collectively gained $23,138.61 in net income from the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables. In partnership with Bon Secours Health System, Tricycle developed the Real Food, Real Simple (RFRS) program, an 8-week cooking series that aims to teach the fundamentals of cooking and basic nutrition using fresh, seasonal, and minimally-processed ingredients. Tricycle prioritized engaging residents living in subsidized, public, and senior housing communities. A total of 174 people participated in the program. Program evaluation results demonstrated that RFRS participants demonstrated an increased confidence in planning, purchasing, and cooking nutritious meals; increased consumption of healthy ingredients; awareness of fresh food access within the community, including Corner Farm store partners; and awareness of food choices and their impact on overall health. Tricycle also developed and delivered Dig In cooking classes offered at local community centers and offered weekly tastings at Corner Farm store locations. Objectives: Tricycle's strong community partnerships are key to our ability to effectively conduct community engagement and outreach. These partnerships include 31st Street Baptist Church, Sixth Mount Zion Church, Richmond's First Baptist Church, Richmond Promise Neighborhood's Action Teams, Richmond City Health District's (RCHD) Food Access and Equity Task Force, and various civic associations and groups. Tricycle's staff has served as a member of the Nutrition and Food Security Working Group that supports Governor Northam's Children's Cabinet since June 2018. Through a partnership with VCU's Social Work Field Department, Tricycle hosted 6 undergraduate and 4 graduate-level social work students who planned and conducted weekly in-store tastings within Corner Farm stores and supported community engagement and outreach. Social work interns also assisted in the development, distribution, and analysis of community surveys. Healthy Corner Store Urban Ag Fellowship rotations provided direct customer outreach and tastings to corner store customers through September 2019. Tricycle did not partner with J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College's Culinary Program for this project. Instead, Tricycle and Bon Secours Health System's Dietician and Nutrition Team developed and implemented Real Food, Real Simple (RFRS) an 8-week cooking series that aims to teach the fundamentals of cooking and basic nutrition using fresh, seasonal, and minimally-processed ingredients. Tricycle prioritized engaging residents living in subsidized, public, and senior housing communities through a partnership with RCHD community advocates. A total of 174 people participated in the program, and program participants continue to serve as advocates for Corner Farm. By recognizing the clear link between food equity and health equity, Bon Secours has supported Corner Farm's produce placement and nutrition education efforts and continues to be an incredible partner. During the second grant year, Tricycle offered 162 opportunities for educational programs, including in-store tastings, cooking demonstrations, nutrition and cooking skills programs, and community events. The process of Corner Farm store recruitment started with identifying corners stores located within USDA-identified food deserts and stores that accept SNAP/EBT benefits. Our current network of partner stores are integral to the success of the program, as they serve as the main conduit for healthy food access. Many of Tricycle's new store partners have been established through referrals from current corner store partners, and partnerships built through the program continue to expand into new areas of Richmond City and Henrico County. During the grant period, Corner Farm expanded to include 8 new stores and Tricycle grew, procured and distributed staple produce selections to a total of 29 stores. All Corner Farm stores accept SNAP/EBT benefits. Tricycle's Food Access Manager (FAM) delivers fresh produce to each store at least once per week and conducts weekly T/A sessions with available store staff, which provides an opportunity to discuss barriers to successful program implementation and to determine the resources and materials needed for success, including food storage infrastructure. For example, all store partners were provided with Corner Farm basket displays. During Year 2, 10 stores had Corner Farm program refrigerators installed in their stores, 17 stores provide space within their own infrastructure for fresh fruits and vegetables, and 2 stores used basket displays only. All stores had marketing and promotional signage and displays installed. By working with store owners to provide training and support in best practices for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce, Corner Farm corner store partners collectively gained $23,138.61 in net income from the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables. To maximize store net income opportunities, Tricycle implemented a produce buyback program for new participants to minimize financial loss. At the initiation of the grant period in 2017, Tricycle created and distributed 300 surveys to community members through outreach events and activities to community members to determine shopping behavior, produce preference, and barriers to increased consumption of local, fresh produce. These surveys, along with feedback from store owners and staff through weekly T/A meetings, inform the planting, harvesting, and distribution schedules for produce grown on Tricycle's urban farm sites in Manchester and Church Hill and the produce procured from local produce distribution companies. During the second grant year, 18 distinct produce items were regularly distributed, stocked, and purchased by community members, including local kale, local cucumbers, onions, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, green peppers, tomatoes, local collard greens, peaches, plums, pears, apples, bananas, oranges, lemons, limes, and clementines. In total, 99,526 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed through the program. 517 pounds of distributed produce were grown by Tricycle Urban Ag on our urban farms. By training store owners in best practices for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce and creating consumer awareness of produce availability in the community, Corner Farm is working to ensure that fresh produce inventory will remain in these stores beyond the grant period. Our efforts to transition store owners to independent procurement is supported by our program design. Tricycle has created a transition plan to connect store owners with local produce distribution companies, including Rudy's Exotic Mushrooms and Produce and Restaurant Depot.
Publications
|
Progress 09/15/17 to 09/14/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by Tricycle's Corner Farm program are Richmond City residents living in USDA-defined food deserts. Tricycle prioritized engaging families and children living in subsidized, public, and/or senior housing communities by collaborating with community partners, including with Richmond City Health Department (RCHD) community advocates, Bon Secours Health System, local faith communities, and local nonprofit partners, including YMCA of Richmond and American Heart Association. Richmond City's population has grown over the past several years to approximately 228,783 residents in 2018 (U.S. Census, 2018). The racial/ethnic demographics of Richmond City are 47.8% Black or African American, 46.9% White, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 2.4% Asian, less than 1% American Indian and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, respectively. The median household income was $42,356 in 2017 dollars (U.S. Census, 2013-2017). 24% of Richmond City residents live in poverty (U.S Census, 2018). The demographic and overall health landscape of Richmond, Virginia continues to illustrate socioeconomic and health-related challenges. We know that unhealthy diets that do not include fruits and vegetables often contribute to a variety of health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, and stroke (VCU Center on Society and Health, 2016). A 2007 study conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that low-income neighborhoods have fewer supermarkets than middle-income neighborhoods. The study also found that "the availability of chain supermarkets in African American neighborhoods is only 52% of that in White neighborhoods with even less relative availability in urban areas." In addition, "Hispanic neighborhoods have only 32% as many chain supermarkets compared to non-Hispanic neighborhoods." In the absence of a traditional grocery store, many residents living in urban areas with limited healthy food access are primarily purchasing food from local corner stores, which often carry high calorie, processed, and unhealthy foods. This consumption trend has significant health impacts, particularly for youth. National studies have found that purchases at corner stores result in an average of 356.6 calories from snacks and beverages per visit. In 2009, a study was published in Pediatrics that documented purchases children made in corner stores in Philadelphia that were located in close proximity to their schools. The Philadelphia study observed that students spend $1.07 on two items per purchase from corner stores per visit. This study also found that 42% of the urban youth surveyed shop in corner stores two times a day and 53% surveyed visit once a day. Additionally, according to the Virginia Childhood Obesity Survey, only 4% of young people in Virginia meet the USDA recommendation of nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This study also found that 92% of youth surveyed eat snacks such as chips and candy or drink soda at least once a week, and 21% of kids consume it seven days a week. Richmond City's East End, Northside, and Southside neighborhoods all include census tracts identified by the USDA as "food deserts." These areas also include some of the highest concentrations of poverty in Richmond, including all 6 of the public housing developments in Richmond. According to VCU Center on Society and Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's "Mapping Life Expectancy" report, the average life expectancy in the East End, Southside, and Northside of Richmond is almost fifteen years less than the average life expectancy in neighborhoods just a few miles away. VCU Center on Society and Health's 2016 "Health Equity in Richmond, Virginia" report noted that, [d]uring a focus group with East End residents, parents expressed concerns about barriers to providing healthy food for their children given limited, poor quality, and often unaffordable grocery options." According to the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) aggregated Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, Richmond City's overall adult obesity rate from 2007-2009 was 32.5%, as compared to 25.5% statewide. BRFSS data also showed alarming racial disparity in the City of Richmond, with an adult obesity rate of 23.6% among White citizens and 36.7% among African-Americans. Income variation presents an even greater disparity: individuals in the City of Richmond who make less than $35,000 a year have an obesity rate of 39.8%, as compared with 19% among those with incomes greater than $75,000. Rates of obesity among children are also on the rise. According to the results of the first Virginia Childhood Obesity Survey commissioned by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) in 2010, one in five young people ages 10 to 17 in Virginia is obese or overweight. Minority youth seem to be the most affected, as 26% are overweight or obese for the age compared to white, non-Latino youth (19%). The inaugural VFHY is in line with national trends; in 2008-09, 25.7% of African American children and adolescents ages 6-17 were identified as obese nationwide, as opposed to 14.6% of white children and adolescents. With recognition of the myriad factors that affect a person's overall health, Tricycle has partnered with the American Heart Association, Bon Secours, and the YMCA of Greater Richmond to conduct blood pressure screenings and heart screenings at in-store tastings and other community events. In addition, our partnerships with local faith communities and churches have been instrumental in the development of the Corner Farm program. Tricycle's 31st Street Baptist Church Urban Farm, which grows produce distributed through Corner Farm, is a result of our deep partnership with 31st Street Baptist Church and our collaborative efforts to improve food access in the East End. By incorporating a holistic view of health and wellness, we contribute to building a culture of health within Corner Farm partner stores. Changes/Problems:Tricycle did not encounter any major changes/problems in approach during the grant period (September 15, 2017-September 14, 2019). As with any program, we have modified programming based on community evaluation, including through community surveys, interaction with store customers, and T/A visits at partner stores. For example, weekly T/A visits allowed Tricycle's Food Access Manager to recognize the higher demand for procured food items from community members, including bananas, oranges, and lettuce. Working in partnership with store owners also led to an adjusted approach on infrastructure, with adjustments being made based on individual store needs. We have also encountered several issues that challenge the creation of a culture of health within Corner Farm store partners, including "skill games," slot machines that have been brought into convenience stores across the city. According to a July 2019 article in the Richmond Free Press, "more than 4,000 similar machines can be found in gas stations, bars and mostly locally owned convenience stores eager for a new stream of revenue." These games are large and often take up what limited space is available within the stores. In addition, ending the produce 'buy-back' 3-month term has also proven to be a challenge due to constant activity within the stores, as well as the recognition that our corner store partners operate on a slim profit margin. Tricycle leadership began a strategic review of staff structure in 2019, and we have hired a Farm & Fellowship Director who manages Tricycle's urban farm sites and the Certification in Urban Agriculture and Fellowship Program. During times of staff transition, Tricycle leadership and the Food Access Manager maintained all Corner Farm relationships for the duration of the grant period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Tricycle's staff attended the CFP Project Directors meeting in Washington, D.C. in 2018 and 2019. Tricycle's Food Access Manager and Mission Manager traveled to DC in May 2018 for the NACS Conference (National Association of Convenience Stores). Tricycle's Food Access Manager and Mission Manager traveled to Chicago in April 2019 to take part in the yearly National Corner Store Forum, hosted by Partnership for A Healthier America, NACS, The Food Trust, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Featuring Healthy Food Retail programs from all over the country, including DC Central Kitchen, Good Food LA, and Top Box Foods in New Orleans, the annual meeting is a wonderful opportunity each year to meet with other programs to glean best practices and share information about Tricycle's Corner Farm program. Tricycle's Mission Manager facilitated a round table discussion on Marketing, Customer Communications, and Engagement which featured a display of visual items from corner store programs across the country. Tricycle's Food Access Manager also participates in quarterly calls with the Healthy Corner Store Forum Network, a collaborative group of food access nonprofits/organizations located across the country. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Corner Farm is a partnership between local governments, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, hospital systems, universities, and community members to expand access to healthy food in the Richmond region. Tricycle and our community partners work to increase the availability of healthy foods in the Richmond region by: Offering seasonal selections of fresh produce at Corner Farm corner store sites in Richmond City's food deserts; Training store owners in best practices, and offering technical assistance (T/A) for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce; Providing the necessary infrastructure for the stocking and preservation of fresh produce within participating corner stores to maximize the opportunity for revenue generation and increase the likelihood of continued participation among store owners; Linking store owners with local produce distribution companies, including Rudy's Exotic Mushrooms and Produce and Restaurant Depot, to transition stores to independent produce procurement; Creating consumer awareness of produce availability in the community surrounding each store site through in-store tastings, installing marketing materials, and attending community events; Offering nutrition education programs, including an 8-week cooking series that teaches the fundamentals of cooking and basic nutrition using fresh, seasonal, and minimally-processed ingredients; Partnering with local nonprofit organizations, including the American Heart Association, Bon Secours Health System, and the YMCA of Greater Richmond to conduct free blood pressure screenings. Strong community partnerships are key to our ability to effectively conduct community engagement and outreach. These partnerships include 31st Street Baptist Church, Sixth Mount Zion Church, Richmond's First Baptist Church, Richmond Promise Neighborhood's Action Teams, Richmond City Health District's (RCHD) Food Access and Equity Task Force, and various civic associations and groups. Tricycle's staff has served as a member of the Nutrition and Food Security Working Group that supports Governor Northam's Children's Cabinet since June 2018. Tricycle regularly shares updates on our progress with our community partners at formal community meetings and while participating in community events, such as Senator Jennifer McClellan's annual Community Harvest Festival, National Night Out, neighborhood block parties, and local celebrations and festivals. In addition, the impact of increased access to fresh, healthy produce cannot be overstated, particularly the importance of a well-balanced diet for children and youth. Tricycle, in partnership with community members, developed interactive, fun marketing materials and signage to encourage young people to try fresh produce options. For example, Tricycle's Corner Farm signage includes colorful displays and plays on words: "Kale Yeah!, Straight Outta RVA, and Let's Turnip the Beet." Tricycle and partner organizations are also creating sustainable urban agriculture sites within target neighborhoods, offering education to community members, not only in the consumption of fresh, local produce but in the cultivation and distribution of harvested produce. In order to measure the long-term outcomes of the program, Tricycle began a formal evaluation of the Corner Farm program in October 2018 based on recommendations by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Coach. The evaluation will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2020. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact: The ultimate impact of the Corner Farm program is the increased availability and consumption of healthy, local produce for individuals and families in the Richmond region. In the absence of a traditional grocery store, many residents of urban food deserts primarily purchase food from local corner stores, which often carry high-calorie, processed foods. Corner Farm provided access to fresh produce to residents of Richmond City and Henrico County through our partnerships with 29 corner stores located in neighborhoods with limited healthy food access. In total, 168,692 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed through the program, with 1,048 pounds of distributed produce grown by Tricycle Urban Ag on RVA's Urban Farms, located in the Manchester and Church Hill neighborhoods of Richmond City. Additionally, by working with store owners to provide training and support in best practices for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce, Corner Farm corner store partners collectively gained $40,574.76 in net income from the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables. In partnership with Bon Secours Health System, Tricycle developed the Real Food, Real Simple (RFRS) program, an 8-week cooking series that aims to teach the fundamentals of cooking and nutrition using fresh, seasonal, and minimally-processed ingredients. Tricycle prioritized engaging residents living in subsidized, public, and senior housing communities. A total of 174 people participated in the program. Program evaluation results demonstrated that RFRS participants demonstrated an increased confidence in planning, purchasing, and cooking nutritious meals; increased consumption of healthy ingredients; awareness of fresh food access within the community, including Corner Farm store partners; and awareness of food choices and their impact on overall health. Tricycle also developed and delivered Dig In cooking classes offered at local community centers and offered weekly tastings at Corner Farm store locations. Objectives: Tricycle's strong community partnerships are key to our ability to effectively conduct community engagement and outreach. These partnerships include 31st Street Baptist Church, Sixth Mount Zion Church, Richmond's First Baptist Church, Richmond Promise Neighborhood's Action Teams, Richmond City Health District's (RCHD) Food Access and Equity Task Force, and various civic associations and groups. Tricycle's staff has served as a member of the Nutrition and Food Security Working Group that supports Governor Northam's Children's Cabinet since June 2018. Through a partnership with VCU's Social Work Field Department, Tricycle hosted 6 undergraduate and 4 graduate-level social work students who planned and conducted weekly in-store tastings within Corner Farm stores, supported community engagement and outreach, and assisted in the development, distribution, and analysis of community surveys. Healthy Corner Store Urban Ag Fellowship rotations provided direct customer outreach and tastings to corner store customers through September 2019. Tricycle did not partner with J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College's Culinary Program for this project. Instead, Tricycle and Bon Secours Health System's Dietician and Nutrition Team developed and implemented Real Food, Real Simple (RFRS) an 8-week cooking series that aims to teach the fundamentals of cooking and basic nutrition using fresh, seasonal, and minimally-processed ingredients. Tricycle prioritized engaging residents living in subsidized, public, and senior housing communities through a partnership with RCHD community advocates. A total of 174 people participated in the program, and program participants continue to serve as advocates for Corner Farm. By recognizing the clear link between food equity and health equity, Bon Secours has supported Corner Farm's produce placement and nutrition education efforts and continues to be an incredible partner. During the grant period, Tricycle offered 358 opportunities for educational programs, including in-store tastings, cooking demonstrations, nutrition and cooking skills programs, and community events. These opportunities reached 5,063 community members. The process of Corner Farm store recruitment began with identifying corners stores located within USDA-identified food deserts and stores that accept SNAP/EBT benefits. Our current network of partner stores serve as the main conduit for healthy food access and are integral to the program's success. Many of Tricycle's new store partners have been established through referrals from current store partners, and partnerships built through the program continue to expand into new areas of Richmond and Henrico. During the grant period, Corner Farm expanded to include 8 new stores and Tricycle grew, procured, and distributed staple produce selections to a total of 29 stores. All Corner Farm stores accept SNAP/EBT benefits. Tricycle's Food Access Manager (FAM) delivers fresh produce to each store at least once per week and conducts weekly technical assistance (T/A) sessions with store staff. T/A provides an opportunity to discuss barriers to successful program implementation and to determine the resources and materials needed for success, including food storage infrastructure. For example, all store partners were provided with Corner Farm basket displays. During Year 1, 12 stores had Corner Farm program refrigerators installed in their stores, 9 stores provided space within their own infrastructure to store fresh fruits and vegetables, and 2 stores used basket displays only. During Year 2, 10 stores had Corner Farm program refrigerators installed in their stores, 17 stores provide space within their own infrastructure for fresh fruits and vegetables, and 2 stores used basket displays only. All stores had marketing and promotional signage and displays installed. By working with store owners to provide training and support in best practices for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce, Corner Farm corner store partners collectively gained $40,574.76 in net income from the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables. To maximize store income opportunities, Tricycle implemented a produce buyback program for new participants to minimize financial loss. At the initiation of the grant period in 2017, Tricycle distributed 300 surveys to community members through outreach events to determine shopping behavior, produce preference, and barriers to increased consumption of fresh produce. These surveys, along with feedback from store owners and staff through weekly T/A meetings, inform the planting, harvesting, and distribution schedules for produce grown on Tricycle's urban farm sites and the produce procured from local distribution companies. During the grant period, 24 distinct produce items were regularly distributed, stocked, and purchased by community members, including local kale, local spinach, local cucumbers, local collard greens, local tomatoes, local green peppers, onions, local garlic, russet potatoes, local sweet potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, green peppers, tomatoes, peaches, plums, watermelon, pears, apples, bananas, oranges, lemons, limes, clementines. In total, 168,692 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed through the program. 1,048 pounds of distributed produce were grown by Tricycle on our urban farms. By training store owners in best practices for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce and creating consumer awareness of produce availability in the community, Corner Farm works to ensure that fresh produce inventory will remain in these stores beyond the grant period. Our efforts to transition store owners to independent procurement is supported by our program design. Tricycle has created a transition plan to connect store owners with local produce distribution companies, including Rudy's Exotic Mushrooms and Produce and Restaurant Depot.
Publications
|
Progress 09/15/17 to 09/14/18
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience reached by Corner Farm includes store owners, residents living in census tracts identified as 'food deserts' by the USDA, and customers who enter Corner Farm partner convenience and corner stores. The demographic and overall health landscape of Richmond, VA continues to illustrate immense socioeconomic and health-related challenges. After decades of decline, the Richmond population has shown recent growth to 210,309 in 2012 (U.S. Census), in part due to a recent increase in the number of younger residents, with racial or ethnic demographics of 50.4% African American or Black, 44.2% White, and 6.4% Hispanic or Latino. The Virginia Department of Health's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System has reported new data from 2013-2014 that indicate Richmond City's overall obesity rate is 65.3% and at the state level, an obesity rate of 73.5% among Black residents as compared to 63.4% among White residents. Additionally, 75.3% of Richmond City residents report eating less than five servings of fresh vegetables on a daily basis. ? Richmond's East End, Northside, and Southside food deserts are characterized by the highest concentrations of poverty in our city. Walking through these neighborhoods you'll find all of the city's public housing communities. Within and surrounding these properties, the average income level is less than $8,800. Additionally, almost half of adults over the age of 25 have not completed high school or its equivalent. Serving as a poignant example of the atmosphere of these communities, the only grocery store servicing the East End closed years ago and was replaced by a Dialysis center. Changes/Problems:The Outreach Manager submitted their resignation during the grant period and the rehiring process is currently underway. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Formal evaluation of the program began in October 2018 and will be reported on in 2019's annual progress report. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?-Onboard an additional4-5 stores -Establish criteria for program termination for underachieving store partners. -Expand program into Henrico County -Develop a scorecard to support technical assistance provided to store owners -Continue to identify and/or develop healthy'Grab and Go' product opportunities -Investigate program expansion into other small formatretailers -Contract for and conduct independent program evaluation -Continueoutreach and education opportunities for community -Increase the pounds of local produce distributed in the program
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The ongoing efforts of Corner Farm continue to grow and provide fundamental access to fresh produce in our community. Over the past funding year, Corner Farm has increased access to fresh produce among low-income residents by offering local and seasonal, and staple produce selections to a total of 24 stores. 21 stores were participating in the program at the onset of the funding year, five stores have closed, changed management or been removed from the program, and an additional eight corner stores have been added to the program. 12 of the active stores have program refrigerators installed into their stores, two stores stock fruit only, and the remainder have provided space within their own infrastructure for fresh fruits and vegetables. All participating stores have the Corner Farm merchandising campaign installed, which includes hanging signs, floor decals, shelf talkers, indoor and outdoor signage, produce labels, and educational materials (2,000 recipe and location cards have been distributed). Over the year, 25 distinct produce items were regularly distributed, stocked and purchased by community members: cabbage, local spinach, local kale, local collard greens, lettuce, russet potatoes, local sweet potatoes, onions, local garlic, green peppers, bananas, tomatoes, limes, lemons, peaches, plums, watermelons, local tomatoes, local green peppers, clementines, oranges, apples, pears, and local cucumbers. In total, 69,166 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed through the program, with 531 pounds of produce distributed grown by Tricycle Urban Ag on RVA's Urban Farm, located in the Southside food desert. Additionally, by working with store owners in providing training and support in best practices for stocking, preserving, and selling fresh produce and creating consumer awareness of produce availability in the community surrounding each store site, Corner Farm corner store partners collectively gained $17,436.15 in net income from the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables during the program year. As a partnership between local governments, nonprofits, medical, academic, and faith-based organizations, who with insight from the local community, have collaborated to develop our strategy, Tricycle continues to cultivate the demand for fresh produce through a variety of outreach and education opportunities. 150 opportunities for education were offered during the year, including in-store tastings, cooking demonstrations, nutrition and cooking skills programs, and community events. These opportunities reached more than 4,700 community members. Tricycle staff and social work interns attended 15 formal community meetings, including Richmond Promise Neighborhood action team meetings, the City of Richmond Food Access and Equity Task Force meetings, and seven civic association and district meetings. Through these outreach activities, 300 community surveys were collected to garner direct feedback about the program. Through our involvement with the Food Access and Equity Task Force, Tricycle was invited by local Cooperative Extension agents to test a new assessment tool developed and validated by researchers at Virginia Tech. The Market Basket Assessment Tool is based on the NEMs survey but with a specific focus on evaluating a smaller format food environment, such as a corner or convenience store. Additionally, Tricycle worked with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, who provided technical assistance in the drafting of a program evaluation plan of Corner Farm. A request for proposals was developed and distributed in Summer 2018 with evaluation plans set to begin in October 2018.
Publications
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