Community Survey Will Study Food Security In Marion County

A new community survey aims to study food systems in all 25 Indianapolis City-County Council districts. Indianapolis’s Office of Public Health and Safety will lead the effort to examine food environments in all communities and provide a more indepth look at food security. 

The survey project is named Food/Comida/Rawl 317 -- "food" in English, Spanish and Hakha Chin in an effort towards inclusiveness. 

Indianapolis Food Policy and Program Coordinator Milele Kennedy said the aim is to reach all Indianapolis residents.

“Having this opportunity for the community to weigh in on what they want to have in their neighborhoods, what would be successful and what would they participate in,” Kennedy said.

The city will partner with Indiana University, Butler University and the Kephrw Institute to collect and analyze the data throughout 2021.

Kennedy said the survey aims to take a deeper dive into food security issues.

“What ways do families try and eat healthy? What are the challenges around eating healthy?  What types of issues are there in the home around preparing food, having the tools needed,” Kennedy said.

The plan is to use the data for long-term policy planning to address food insecurity and other challenges facing local food systems.

Residents may participate in the project by going to foodcomidarawl317.com to take the household survey. Weekly prizes will be awarded to residents who complete the different sections of the food experience form.