University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, UConn Extension

Description

The Connecticut Food Justice VISTA Project seeks to build the capacity of high-impact organizations focused on community food security and food justice. With VISTA Member support, organizations commit to empowering underrepresented populations to have meaningful input on food-related programs and services. Organizations will share best practices and learn new skills in engaging people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. VISTA Members in the project will: 1. Participate in a collaborative forum for sharing best practices and curriculum among 10 project sites and 13 VISTA Members. 2. Build the capacity of each organization to empower under-represented populations 3. Create, expand and enhance the services offered by their host site by fundraising, managing volunteers, convening the community, surveying the community, enhancing awareness of food insecurity and injustice, and much more. University of Connecticut Extension, in partnership with some of the most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations in Connecticut, is coordinating the fourth year of this multi-site project beginning in August 2016.