Cass Clay Food Partners: A networked response to COVID-19

Authors

  • Noelle Harden University of Minnesota Extension
  • Bob Bertsch North Dakota State University
  • Kayla Carlson North Dakota State University Extension
  • Megan Myrdal Food of the North https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9735-2990
  • Irena Bobicic North Dakota State University Extension
  • Abby Gold University of Minnesota Extension https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5966-4440
  • Kim Lipetzky Fargo Cass Public Health
  • Tim Hiller Concordia College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2021.102.050

Keywords:

Food Network, Food Policy Council, Food Governance, Urban Agriculture Ordinance, COVID-19, Pandemic

Abstract

The Cass Clay Food Partners is a network of professionals, stakeholders, and residents serving Cass County, North Dakota, and Clay County, Minnesota, in creating a healthier, more just local food system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cass Clay Food Partners quickly implemented a multipronged response that leveraged three critical assets of our network: (1) our unique structure, (2) our nuanced understanding of the social ties across overlapping networks, and (3) our ability to quickly pivot our work to address community needs. In this paper, we describe how our network re­sponded to both the challenges and opportunities presented to our food system by the COVID-19 crisis. We also provide tools and recommendations for other food policy and food network practitioners.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Noelle Harden, University of Minnesota Extension

Health and Nutrition Educator

Bob Bertsch, North Dakota State University

Web Technology Specialist

Kayla Carlson, North Dakota State University Extension

Extension Agent. Kayla Carlson is now Health Services Director, Rich­land County Health Department.

Megan Myrdal, Food of the North

Co-founder

Irena Bobicic, North Dakota State University Extension

Extension Agent

Abby Gold, University of Minnesota Extension

Health and Nutrition Program Leader

Kim Lipetzky, Fargo Cass Public Health

Public Health Nutritionist

Tim Hiller, Concordia College

Coordinator of Community Engagement. Tim Hiller is now director of development, Churches United for the Homeless.

Logo for COVID-19's Impact on the Food System

Published

2021-04-02

How to Cite

Harden, N., Bertsch, B., Carlson, K., Myrdal, M., Bobicic, I. ., Gold, A., Lipetzky, K., & Hiller, T. (2021). Cass Clay Food Partners: A networked response to COVID-19. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10(2), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2021.102.050