TNP works to improve food access in Warren

In September of 2017, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership released the Warren Community Food Security Strategic Plan, following a year-long study of food access in the city of Warren.

The study looked at multiple points in the local food system, including grocery and retail, farmers markets, emergency resources, and distribution. The study involved food-systems mapping, surveys, focus groups, and planning meetings with community leaders.

The plan identified four key areas where improvements were needed: transportation, community education, urban agriculture, and the local food economy.

Since the study, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership is reporting the following improvements:

• Transportation – The Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) has expanded and added five local bus routes in Warren. In addition, TNP has partnered with the Warren Farmers Market and Second Baptist Church to provide rides to and from the market anywhere in the city of Warren.

• Community Education – While the pandemic has driven community-education programming online, there are resources for people who want to grow their own foods, grow and prepare foods to sell, or just eat healthier.

TNP, The Ohio State University Extension Trumbull County, and The Trumbull County Soil and Conservation District are providing workshops for Trumbull County residents seeking to expand their growing knowledge. Workshops include composting classes and farm-business planning.

• Urban Agriculture – Community gardens are currently recruiting volunteers in Warren and greater Trumbull County. TNP provides technical support to volunteer-led community gardens and urban farms.

This effort includes tilling, seeds, help with soliciting donations, and starter plants. In this effort, TNP works with a variety of community partners, including the Trumbull County Land Bank and Trumbull County Agricultural Director Ed Agler.

• Local Food Economy – The food-access study noted that there was very little produce in local convenience stores. Since 2018, TNP has worked with store owners, the Creating Healthy Communities Coalition, and the Healthy Community Partnership to help overcome obstacles for selling fresh produce.

Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership is also working to build a stronger local food system, connecting farmers market managers, farmers, and supporting organizations through the Mahoning Valley Farmers Market Network.

The network was created to market local foods and local farms in the Mahoning Valley. Network members include farmers market managers, nonprofit organizations, and local farmers.

For more information on Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership and its efforts to improve food access in the city of Warren and Trumbull County, contact Cassandra at Cassandra@tnpwarren.org or 330-647-6301.