Recovery and Resilience in Local and Regional Food Systems

Keywords: networks, local food, food system disaster response
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

The Local and Regional Food System Response to COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience project asks, "What would 2020 have looked like if a collaborative network of research, engagement, and outreach across local and regional food system stakeholders, researchers, and USDA leadership had been in place?" This collaboration between universities, local and regional food system leaders, and USDA is designed to support food systems leaders broaden and deepen their understanding of the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of food systems in times of disruption. Through research with food systems partners, we identified the different types of knowledge, resources, strategies and networks used by stakeholders as they navigated their response to COVID-19. From there, we further enriched our understanding of the needs of food systems through conversations with food system leaders navigating other types of crises like wildfires, storms, and the complications experienced by geographically remote communities.

Throughout our research, the lesson that came up repeatedly was that communities with existing relationships, partnerships, and regular channels of communication were best positioned to adapt when food system disaster struck. With that in mind, we are developing a playbook that is a guide for how food system stakeholders can connect with their community to prepare and ‘stay ready’ for the next disruption. We will provide an overview of the research and engagement process and outline examples included in the playbook that highlight impacts and innovative ways to respond to disruption that not only support immediate disaster response, but also mid- to long term equitable resilience.