Action = Change Guide: Food Solutions |
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The new Ecolution Collective series cumulatively points out issues of equity and sustainability alongside “what if” and “look at this” solution-makers. It is designed to network Minnesotans around innovations and action.
Ecolution is for people who care about:
1) food,
2) collective efforts,
3) ecosystem resilience,
4) and regeneration
If you want to be part of the Ecolution community, join the story team by taking this survey:
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What We're Reading
“If the Farm System Reform Act passed, how much would really change?”
“These farmers don’t operate alone. They band together in cooperatives, sharing resources for the benefit of all.”
“Having diversity in vendors at the market is the only way that it should exist.”
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University of Minnesota
Institute on the Environment
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In this final installment of our Food Security series, we offer recommended resources and suggested action steps on behalf of food issues in Minnesota.
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Anyone who needs help stretching their food budget can find options listed at the Hunger Solutions interactive map.
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Advocate for SNAP and other food access programs. Find out if you are eligible, and apply if so.
- Donate financially to food banks. Volunteer to work with food assistance providers.
- Before you donate, consult the website of the place you plan to give to see what foods and products they need most.
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Advocate for SNAP expansion and food access support. The Food Research and Action Center is asking for people to contact their legislators to help strengthen SNAP benefits in the next COVID-19 response package.
- Help to destigmatize food assistance use by talking about hunger and program options. Anyone can be impacted by food insecurity, especially in the pandemic and because of affordable housing issues.
- Support initiatives and policies that reduce barriers for food security. Be part of conversations about stable housing, transportation, livable wages, and healthcare.
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Can you be part of the team that tracks and informs the Ecolution Collective about related legislative bills in January? Contact ecolution@womenspress.com
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Interested in getting involved with sustainable food networks in Minnesota? |
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Hunger Relief
The Food Group MN, providing resources to food shelves and direct food access programs.
MN Food Charter, a roadmap designed to guide policymakers and community leaders in providing Minnesotans with equal access to healthy food.
Metro Food Access, creating a re-imagined metro food justice network that uses a robust community engagement process.
Food Skills
East Side Table, empowering individuals to improve food skills, awareness, and access to healthy foods.
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Hubs
The Good Acre, improving the local food system for diverse, independent farmers and to increase access to healthy produce for all consumers.
Rural Renewal & Sustainable Agriculture
Renewing the Countryside, renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects.
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Why We Started With Food Security |
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1 in 8 Minnesotans will experience food insecurity this month, including 112,000 children
— data from McKinsey & Co, collected on behalf of Second Harvest Heartland
“Despite how well the state’s emergency food system is working, a rise in food insecurity still has major implications for the overall health of the state.”
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What solutions have you seen around the state that are improving supply lines between healthy foods and those who need access?
Do you work with data or research that illuminates this issue?
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Next Step: Grow the Ecolution |
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Upcoming Ecolution Topics |
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October 16: Collective Economies & 40 Acre Co-op
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November: The Air We Breathe
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December: Regenerating Habitat
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1) Subscribe to this newsletter.
If you received it from a friend, please add yourself to the mailing list
2) Forward it to others who might be interested in the conversations
3) Take our survey to help us plan together stories of the future
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What We Have Learned From the Survey
Priority topics (in order): Co-op culture, community-based food resiliency, environmental health disparities, energy models, regenerative agriculture, reducing waste, smarter consumerism, climate resilience research
You are passionate about: micro food systems, emerging farmers, revitalizing rural communities, regional food systems, soil health, community cooperatives, permaculture, zero waste, and more
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2021 Topics to Explore
based on survey input so far
- Towerside Innovation District, Minneapolis
- American Indian Community Housing Organization, Duluth
- Women's Environmental Institute, North Branch
- Lakewood Health System & Sprout, Staples
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From Our Ecolution Library |
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Collaborative, collective partnerships generate community-based wealth and health.
Ecolutionaries (and yes, we made that word up) are not passive readers who simply “like” stories. They have ideas, resources, and storytellers to share — and are consumers who want to put their dollar where their values are. We ask Collective members in surveys:
Who should we learn from next?
What related issue do you care about?
Ecolution Collective is created by Minnesota Women's Press, a storytelling pioneer since 1985.
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With your input, each month we look at an Ecolution topic from different angles:
- Week #1: Overview of the topic and its questions
- Week #2: Profile about people centered on the issue
- Week #3: Data, research, science, and global picture
- Week #4: Action to further work and discussion
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