What We Do
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The Bloomington Food and Farm Council was created due to concern from local organizations and community members about food insecurity in Monroe County, all of who saw a need for a stronger local food system and better food policy. Due to this concern, members of the community and various local organizations came together in 2010 to build a food policy council. Early members included folks from the Local Growers Guide, Middleway House, Bloomington Parks and Recreation, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, Bloomingfoods, the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability, and the Community Orchard. All were looking for a central organization that could asses the local food system, educate the community on food issues, and advocate for a healthier food system. At the first call-out meeting in January 2011, we began the journey that lead to the organization’s creation and the accomplishments we have achieved since then.
Partnerships
People's Cooperative Market
The Bloomington Food and Farm Council serves as a 501c3 fiscal sponsor to the People’s Cooperative Market, a local organization that strives to work towards intersectional anti-racism, creating space for food justice work, creating meaningful collaborations, building equity, cultivating liberation, and ensuring access to local food, art, and education. People’s Cooperative Market offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a farmers’ market, a food pantry, SNAP matching, a sponsored box program and more to support a local food system centered on equity, access, and community care. For more information on People’s Cooperative Market, click here.
Service Learning
During the spring 2023 semester, BFFC is partnering with Dr. Olga Kalentzidou’s geography class on two projects: (1) Creation of a guide to urban agricultural policies in Bloomington and (2) Development of a walking and bicycle tour of urban farms. Outcomes from these partnerships will be shared in summer 2023!
In the fall 2020 semester, BFFC partnered with Professor Laura Littlepage’s grant writing class, Bloomington Housing Authority Resident Council, and the Garden Tower Project to acquire a grant from Bloomington Tri Kappa to purchase 14 garden towers, soil, seeds, and gardening tools for the Crestmont Community.
Reports
Barriers to SNAP Application and Participation
Since April 2020, the BFFC has been a community partner contributing to statewide research on the barriers to SNAP application and participation. As a research partner, the BFFC conducted focus groups, interviews, and a survey of households experiencing food insecurity to understand the barriers to receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A full report will be shared in summer 2023!
Bloomington Food Access 2021
During 2019-2021, the BFFC worked with the Critical Food Studies Lab and the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic Sustainable Development to conduct citywide research on food access in Bloomington. In 2019, we conducted focus groups and literature review to develop a survey. In 2020, we conducted the survey and analysis.