The Ball Gets Rolling

The second week of Round 2 of field work saw several exciting developments. The first of these developments is Nicole's new partnership with the Missoula Food Bank (MFB). The MFB is a private, non-profit organization that provides emergency food assistance to any and all individuals and families who walk through their doors. 

MFB staff gave Nicole an office space where she can interview people on a voluntary basis who visit the MFB. Respondents answer a set of questions relating to their current food situation, their interest in and knowledge of local food, and any factors that prevent them from participating in the local and sustainable agriculture movement, particularly as it relates to the Western Montana Growers Coop. 

The basis of this collaboration is: 1) the inclusion of lower-income and lower-access populations in the rural development study; and 2) the fact that WMGC, which accepts SNAP benefits for its CSA program, has had difficulty enrolling those who qualify for food assistance despite its efforts.

The WMGC truck delivering CSA shares to the drop point in St. Ignatius

The second development of the past week is the incorporation of existing WMGC CSA members into the study. On Thursday, Nicole visited 2 randomly selected CSA drop points, Polson and St. Ignatius, in order to introduce herself and the study to potential interview participants. 

The contents of a weekly WMGC CSA share.

The next week will include additional visits to various other CSA drop points, as well as scheduling and conducting interviews with as many CSA members as possible to learn about changes in individual and household access to and consumption of local, healthy food as a result of WMGC's CSA.