If you would like a pdf copy of this report please email [email protected]

Resilient local food systems Final Report to La Lucha Space In fulfillment of Subcontract for FMPP grant Dr. J. V. Worstell, Delta Land & Community, 920 Hwy 153, Almyra, AR 72003; Phone: 870-673-6346; [email protected]

Introduction: Local food systems are all the rage. Healthy local food is increasingly available nearly everywhere--except, glaringly, in some parts of the most lush and verdant regions of the world, such the Southern United States. Why is this? As early as 19951, constraints on locally owned processing and marketing systems were identified for this region and prototype solutions proposed. Many of these solutions were implemented as state and national programs. However, some parts of the South (e.g., Virginia/North Carolina/Kentucky and Georgia/Florida) consistently receive more SSARE, Farmers Market and Value-Added grants and generate more locally owned processing and marketing enterprises (e.g., CSAs, farmers markets, farm to school systems, local meat processing plants, etc.) than other regions which are very similar geographically and demographically. Yet, in all Southern states, sustainable local/regional food systems have arisen in the last 20 years. How have some managed to succeed?

If you would like a pdf copy of this report please email [email protected]

La Lucha Space

Comparative case studies of resilient local food systems for summative evaluation

La resiliencia es una lucha.

Resilience is a struggle, a long term process.

—Don Alfonso, farmer from San Juan de Rio Coco, Nicaragua

Prepared by

Resilience Project

Deltanetwork, 920 Hwy 153, Almyra, AR 72003

Meadowcreek, P O Box 27, Fox, AR 72051

Introduction 

La Lucha Space is a nonprofit organization working in Conway, Arkansas, and with farmers in surrounding counties to create a viable, sustainable and resilient local food system.  La Lucha Space seeks to increase locally grown produce to create an abundance of fresh, healthy, local food for the community. The food they produce is donated to the hungry and used in their programing (children’s garden club, festivals, etc.). They seek to facilitate aggregation of healthy food from local farmers.

The Resilience Project is creating an evaluation system for La Lucha Space.   Our main focus is on the resilience of La Lucha Space as an organization.  Recently, La Lucha Space received a grant from the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) of USDA/AMS.  This report provides a foundation for the process of summative evaluation of La Lucha Space progress toward resilience specifically as a result of LFPP funded activities and as an organization as a whole.