Food Security Coalition
Working to ensure equitable access to healthy food.
Mission
Build connections among Greenville County community members and food system partners to foster creative solutions to ensure equitable access to sufficient, nutritious and culturally appropriate food, as well as to advocate for a community driven food system that improves the quality of life for all people.
Vision
We envision a Greenville County where all community members have equitable access to healthy foods, comprehensive community infrastructure to support those in need and a support system that enables individuals to move towards permanent food security.
Food Security Coalition Objectives:
1) Build a strong coalition rooted in values of equity and inclusion, dignity, transparency, collaboration and action. 2) Improve coordination, communication and resource sharing across emergency food agencies to fill gaps in the system. 3) Support policy, systems and environmental changes that will increase equitable access to healthy food.
Equity and Inclusion
We are mindful of cultivating inclusive spaces that support and celebrate the diverse cultural needs and lived experiences of our community’s members. We seek to create environments that reflect the full spectrum of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual identity and orientation, ability, economic status, immigration status and religion. We embrace the rich tapestry of knowledge and experience present in our community and will prioritize the voices of those who are most impacted by food system injustice, in the design and implementation of the work.
We are mindful of cultivating inclusive spaces that support and celebrate the diverse cultural needs and lived experiences of our community’s members. We seek to create environments that reflect the full spectrum of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual identity and orientation, ability, economic status, immigration status and religion. We embrace the rich tapestry of knowledge and experience present in our community and will prioritize the voices of those who are most impacted by food system injustice, in the design and implementation of the work.
Dignity
We believe everyone has the right to nourishing food at all times and deserve to be treated with honor and respect during times of adversity.
We believe everyone has the right to nourishing food at all times and deserve to be treated with honor and respect during times of adversity.
Transparency
We maintain open communication so that all partners have equal access to information about opportunities, community resources and the strategic direction of the coalition.
We maintain open communication so that all partners have equal access to information about opportunities, community resources and the strategic direction of the coalition.
Collaboration
We recognize each other’s diverse strengths, support one another and work together towards our common goal.
We recognize each other’s diverse strengths, support one another and work together towards our common goal.
Action
We use a community action plan to catalyze action with a willingness to adapt based on community feedback or changing conditions in our community.
We use a community action plan to catalyze action with a willingness to adapt based on community feedback or changing conditions in our community.
Community Food Resource Guide This guide was organized to locate food assistance resources throughout Greenville County. Learn More
Greenville County Food Insecurity Index This tool was created to support Food Security Coalition partners in taking a more systematic approach to fighting hunger in Greenville County. Learn More
NonProfit Alliance Community Exchange This resource sharing forum was established for all things nonprofit-related in Greenville County. We have created a board dedicated to sharing food security resources. Use the space for sharing needs and resources such as food surplus, volunteer needs, funding opportunities and more! Learn More
Greenville County IMAP This tool allows an interactive, visual look at essential services available throughout Greenville County including but not limited to food system and transportation layers. Learn More
2020 Greenville County Food System Assessment This assessment takes a look at Greenville County’s local food system and identification of gaps and opportunities in five key areas: 1) growing food; 2) processing and distributing food; 3) selling food; 4) accessing food; and 5) handling food waste. Learn More
Backpack Food Program Starter Kit LiveWell Greenville is working to connect community partners with schools who have expressed a need for a backpack program or school food pantry. A Backpack Food Program provides a bag of nonperishable food for children to take home and eat when school meal programs are unavailable. For more information, check out our Backpack Food Program Starter Kit. To get involved in the efforts to support GCS students experiencing food insecurity, contact Susan Frantz who will connect you with schools in need. Learn MoreCommunity Food
Resource Guide
Get Involved
Apply to be a part of the Food Equity Action Board or join a current workgroup. Workgroups exist as a way to build community participation and take action on the goals and priorities of the Greenville County Food Security Coalition. Anyone who lives or works in Greenville County can join a workgroup at any time. Attend partner meetings and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
The Food Equity Action Board is made up of Greenville County residents who are passionate about their communities and want to take action to build a more just and equitable food system in Greenville County. The goal of the program is to center the voices of those most impacted by food insecurity in the creation of policy solutions. Email Susan Frantz for more information.
If you would like to join any of these workgroups, email Susan Frantz.
- Emergency Food System
- Food Equity & Access
- Steering Committee
Attend Partner Meetings: Bi-monthly partner meetings are an opportunity for coalition partners to share updates, report progress and stay connected.
Read our Newsletter: Sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter to stay updated on the Food Security Coalition’s work, meetings, and resources.
