Modeling Foodsheds for Data-driven Policymaking

Interested in this project? Megan Low Email me!

Vision

We aim to support policy influencers in building local food system resilience through the use of informatics.

Motivation

Current technologies for food security policymaking lack dynamicity and prediction power. Online food security-related mapping tools tend to be descriptive - only showing food desert locations, level of SNAP participation, or proportion of food insecure population. Local context is important for ensuring the suitability and effectiveness of a policy. However, data provided by these tools typically report at a global, national or state level. More granular and location-specific data is required.

This is an extension of a previous project started in 2020 in response to COVID-19.

Study Parts

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1. Policy Influencers Qualitative Study

We are engaging policy influencers in Indiana to understand the the process of local policymaking and how information and technology is used. What we learn will drive the design of a decision-support tool, so, this is essentially a co-creation session!

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2. Modeling Foodshed Structure & Behavior

The objective is to model consumers' food acquisition behavior in the context of food access in the Greater Lafayette area, Indiana. We use an agent-based model with a system dynamics approach.

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3. Simulating Functionality

Using the model, we will simulate the effect of disruptions and policy interventions (food system changes) on food access outcomes and resilience.

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4. Tool Design Recommendations

Finally, based on the qualitative study and a review of existing decision-making tools, we will develop a mock-up of the information system with design recommendations.

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We are recruiting!