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This stage is about presenting and following through on the results of your ECFA.
Create your Food Systems Action Plan
Create your Food Systems Action Plan
The following are components of a Food Systems Action Plan that helps you outine the changes and actions you will take as a result of your assessment findings.
Policy and System Changes
Policy and System Changes
Questions to consider:
What policies are affecting our community?
What policy changes do we need to see?
What policies (and related programs) could have a positive impact in our community?
Which decision-makers do we need to reach out to?
What resources do we need in order to best leverage policy outreach efforts?
Example: A unified zoning policy allowing for home gardens would help community members become more self-sufficient and food secure.
This resource from Community Food Solutions breaks down the difference between "big P" policy (usually legislative or municipal policies) and "little p" polcies, whcih have to do more with institutional and organizational practices and may or may not refer to an actual written policy.
The Michigan Local Food Council Network held a webinar on public policy advocacy on August 6, 2015. Jean Doss, a government affairs consultant, provided an overview of public advocacy on the state level, and Megan Masson-Minock, MLFCN coordinator with ENP & Associates, shared information on effectively advocating at the municipal level.
From See What I Mean:
"We’re living in a time of constant and rapid policy change, where decisions made at local, state, and federal levels can have immediate and lasting impacts on the people we serve, our organizations, and our communities. From shifts in food assistance programs to new regulations affecting nonprofit funding, staying ahead requires clarity, strategy, and action."
This free workbook invites you to:
✅ Discuss potential consequences of new policies.
✅ Evaluate risks and opportunities in real-time.
✅ Determine the best course of action across key areas—from funding and programs to advocacy and communications.
Capacity-Building Efforts
Capacity-Building Efforts
Questions to consider:
What education, training, or learning needs to happen?
What knowledge, skills is needed for community members to thrive?
Example: Increased food business plan support would ensure the viability of more small businesses.
Plan for Dissemination of Results
Plan for Dissemination of Results
Communication Plan
Communication Plan
Questions to Consider:
What measurable outcomes would you like to achieve through a communications effort?
How will you know you are achieving your goals?
Who are your audiences?
Does anything need to be in multiple languages?
What timeline and resources needed?
Examples: Number of people showing up for a hearing, new partnerships with organizations working on similar issues
This example communication plans highlights all the elements of a communications plan: clear mission and vision, strategies and tactics.
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