Food systems include food production, processing, distribution, marketing, access, preparation, consumption, and disposal and influences of social, economic, and environmental conditions. Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) has professionals, paraprofessionals, and volunteers with expertise in food systems dimensions integrated into Virginia communities. Current VCE programming has unequal reach for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Community health workers (CHWs) are lay outreach workers who are from the communities they serve and can be effective health educators within BIPOC communities who experience health disparities. The CHW model is underexplored in food systems, despite the importance of food systems for health. A scoping review of United States CHW educational food systems interventions found CHW reach to BIPOC communities primarily through education on food preparation and consumption. Garden-based programming educated on the highest number of food system processes, highlighting a potential role of CHWs within food systems. These results guided development of a feasibility evaluation for the CHW model for garden-based food systems programming for VCE, emphasizing reach to BIPOC communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 VCE stakeholders representing several disciplines. The CHW model is feasible for VCE within the current focus on food systems, diversity, and inclusion. Participatory approaches for programming should be used to incorporate the cultural knowledge of the CHW and to create a welcoming environment for BIPOC communities. The CHW model can connect disciplines to provide accessible and culturally relevant programming to BIPOC communities, thus extending the reach of VCE and potentially creating more inclusive community food systems. / Master of Science / Food systems encompass all processes from food production to disposal and are influenced by social, economic, and environmental conditions in which food travels from farm to fork. Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) provides outreach to Virginia communities by disseminating research-based information through professionals and volunteers in educational programming for topics that include agriculture, gardening, nutrition, and more. Community health workers (CHWs) are public health educators who serve Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to mitigate health disparities that are exacerbated by unequal distribution of resources within food systems. CHWs are from the communities they serve and thus are uniquely positioned as culturally sensitive educators. This thesis aimed to explore the role of CHWs in food systems education and to evaluate the feasibility of the CHW model for garden-based food systems programming for VCE. A scoping review of U.S.-based food systems interventions found that CHWs have reached BIPOC communities for food systems education that focuses on preparation and consumption of food, but the CHW model has not been widely documented in broad-lens food systems educational programming. Garden-based programs educated on the greatest number of food systems processes. Interviews with 29 VCE stakeholders showed that the CHW model is feasible within the structure and values of VCE. The CHW model can connect traditionally separate disciplines to provide accessible and culturally relevant programming to BIPOC communities, thus extending the reach of VCE and potentially creating more inclusive community food systems.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/110430 |
| Date | 03 June 2022 |
| Creators | DeNunzio, Maria Nicole |
| Contributors | Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Misyak, Sarah A., Chase, Melissa W., Serrano, Elena L., Kraak, Vivica |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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