Food Security Coalition

Working to ensure equitable access to healthy food.

 

Listen to Episode 7 of School Food Rocks podcast where we talk about our work on the Weekend Food Backpack Program! 

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) Improve coordination, communication and resource sharing across emergency food agencies to fill gaps in the system.

2) 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.

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.

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.

Collaboration
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.

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 More

How we do the work

Get Involved

  • Attend quarterly partner meetings to see what we are up to or share community feedback
  • Apply to join the HEAL Board
  • Join an action circle, email Susan Frantz for more information.
  • Serve as an action circle coordinator + representative on the coordinating circle
  • Keep up with the work by subscribing to our monthly newsletter, following us on social media and checking out our website