| Detailed Objective: In 1999, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began implementation of the Community
Food Security Initiative (CFSI) and will prepare a manual and data collection
instruments (toolkit) that organizations in local communities can use to assess
community food security. The initiative is a partnership with States, communities,
and nonprofit organizations to help develop sustainable local infrastructures
to increase food security. Through a cross-agency initiative, the Department will
help States and communities obtain the tools they need to reduce hunger and food
insecurity, improve nutrition, and enable low-income families to make a transition
from poverty to self-sufficiency.
On June 28-30, 1999, a conference planned by a multi-agency U.S. Department
of Agriculture planning team brought together individuals with expertise in
community food security assessment. Workgroups formed at the conference are
being asked to contribute to a draft set of food security assessment materials.
Staff associated with the Lower Mississippi River Delta Nutrition Intervention
Research Initiative ( Delta NIRI) will assist in field testing the draft toolkit
in winter 2000. A fixed-price contract was awarded to IQ Solutions, Inc., at
a cost of $149,570 in fiscal 1999. The final product will be designed for implementation
in local communities. It is expected to be available in February, 2001. |