Community Building
Food Security is achieved only through collective commitment and systemic investments. As the region’s lead organization focused on food access, Our Neighbors’ Table plays the critical role of convener, bringing sectors, diverse community groups and best practices together to ensure food is universally available and accessible throughout our region and that we are consistently measuring our effectiveness toward this vision.
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Decision-MakersOur Neighbors’ Table's regional Food Security Advisory Group (FSAG) brings together elected officials and systemic leaders to prioritize and integrate food access and food security across all sectors. Municipal leaders, human service organizations, health care providers, educators, and the individuals we serve work collaboratively to identify local barriers to food access, understand the impact of food insecurity in our communities, and devote resources to equip people who live and work in our community to address the issue.
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Regional Food InfrastructureThe Seacoast Food Providers (SFP) work closely to coordinate efforts to make food accessible where and when people need it. Representing organizations, churches, councils on aging and resident groups who are providing groceries and meals to our region, the SFP ensures our collective strategies are effective, complementary and fill gaps where needs are unmet. The SFP provides a robust calendar of programs that are geographically spread across our region and combines creativity and resources to keep quality food available.
The Seacoast Food Providers will soon be provided with infrastructural and developmental support through ONT's Seacoast Regional Food Hub. To learn more about this groundbreaking project, click here. |
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Serving the Whole PersonFood insecurity is a symptom of more complex challenges facing our community. Individuals and families struggling to put food on the table are often also facing housing, health, mental health, or employment challenges. The Amesbury Community Service Providers, serving the diverse needs of the greater Amesbury area, meet regularly throughout the year to share information and ideas to better meet the community’s needs.
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Hunger and HealthIn 2015, the American Academy of Pediatrics made the formal recommendation to integrate food insecurity screening into pediatric health care. Since then, social determinants of health, including hunger and food security, have gained increased attention among health care providers as an integral part of health and disease prevention. In 2018, Our Neighbors’ Table and Children’s Health Care (CHC) established a formal partnership to train and equip CHC staff and practitioners with the tools they need to identify and support their patients who are experiencing food insecurity. Our model is at the forefront of national work, drawing on the most effective strategy: a Food Resource Advocate to provide personal and compassionate support as a family enters the web of support services.
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In addition to the groups convened by Our Neighbors’ Table, we also participate in various collaboratives that help us improve food security, including the Newburyport Community Collaborative and Greater Boston Food Bank Agency Advisory Council.
To learn more and to participate in our collective efforts, contact our Program Director, Lori Townsend at lori@ourneighborstable.org.
