BOK CHOY PROJECT 2024: Building a food access toolkit for the West End

This internship, inspired by the Bok Choy Project and informed by the 2017 Health Equity Report, aims to compare food access in these two neighborhoods, identifying gaps and potential solutions. Interns will gain valuable skills in community engagement, data collection, and mapping, contributing to actionable insights for driving food justice in Louisville. Moreover, students explore the intersection of health equity and the arts by developing a community food access toolkit for neighborhoods in need.

Project Objectives:

● Conduct interviews with West and East End residents to understand their experiences with food access.

● Utilize the Bok Choy Project's framework to gather data on healthy food retailers, farmers markets, community gardens, and food assistance programs.

● Analyze interview and data findings to identify disparities and unmet needs related to food access.

● Create or revamp a food access toolkit

● Develop engaging interactive maps, visualizing food access resources and highlighting areas with limited options.

● Share findings with community stakeholders, advocacy groups, and policymakers to inform potential interventions and policy changes promoting food justice.

Internship Activities:

● Attend training workshops on qualitative research methods, including community-based participatory research (CBPR) and ethical interviewing techniques.

● Conduct individual and group interviews with residents in both neighborhoods, building rapport and ensuring culturally sensitive communication.

● Analyze interview data, identifying key themes and narratives related to food access challenges.

● Collect and map data on existing food resources, using open-source data and field verification.

● Learn software to create interactive maps, incorporating interview data and resource locations.

Expected Outcomes:

● A comprehensive understanding of food access disparities between Louisville's West and East Ends.

● Interactive maps highlighting food access and resource inequalities.

● Recommendations for improving food access and promoting healthy food choices in underserved communities.

● Increased awareness and advocacy for food justice issues in Louisville.

Impact and Sustainability:

This project's findings will benefit community organizations, policymakers, and researchers working to address food insecurity and health disparities in Louisville. Project data and resources will be made publicly available, and partnerships with local stakeholders will ensure continued efforts towards building a more equitable and food-just city. By bridging the gap in understanding food access challenges, this internship empowers communities and equips future changemakers to advocate for sustainable solutions towards a fairer and healthier Louisville.