About The Library
Welcome to the Hunger Free Communities Network’s online resource library! This ever growing database serves as a one-stop shop and home base for anti-hunger organizers featuring toolkits, case studies, research, online tools, community plans and other resources generated by the Alliance to End Hunger, our national partners and hunger free community coalitions across the country.
This is a user-driven tool, so feel free to rate resources and leave a comment! Also, please submit your own resources, so we can share your good ideas with others.
How To Search The Library
- Keyword Search: To run a keyword search, simply type the word(s) or phrase(s) you’re looking for into the box on the top right of the page (e.g. USDA, child hunger) and click “submit.”
- Category Search: To run a category search, use the drop-down menus to the right of the page under the heading “Resource Library Search” to select your desired search topic(s) and click “submit”. This search will yield more results if you limit your selections to one drop-down menu (e.g. “Content Type” or “Activity”). For an explanation of the categories, please click the orange “?” symbol next to the heading for each drop-down menu.
When the search results appear, click on the title of the resource for a more detailed description of that resource. There you’ll be able to directly access the resource.
Featured Resources
The Self-Assessment Workbook (SAW): The goal of the SAW is to assist a HFC coalition in determining for itself the critical elements for effective organizational management and network functioning and to identify those areas in need of strengthening or further development. The SAW is designed to enable organizational learning, foster team sharing, and encourage reflective self-assessment within an anti-hunger coalition. It can be used for strategic planning, evaluation and building group cohesion.
The Advocacy Playbook: The Advocacy Playbook is the Alliance to End Hunger’s signature advocacy toolkit and resource. It helps make the case for why advocacy a good idea and provides guidance on how your coalition or organization can help the cause.
Toolkit for Developing and Strengthening Hunger Free Community Coalitions: This provides a step-by-step guide for building coalitions, plus it gives best practices examples from the field, ideas for implementation, and practical tools. We hope it serves as a jumping off point for your local community’s efforts to find a solution to food insecurity.
Innovative collaborations support low-income Minnesotans’ access to local farmers markets
In this case study, BlueCross BlueShield collaborated with the City of Minneapolis and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy to make users of SNAP aware that their EBT and Market Bucks could be used at the Midtown farmers market in Minneapolis. By matching SNAP benefits dollar-for-dollar (up to 5 dollars a day), this collaboration...
Read MoreUSDA Investing in Growth of Farmers Markets
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with its creation of the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), is helping to push farmers to grow more food that can be sold locally in farmers markets. By providing grants to local growers and farmers markets, the FMPP looks to help out small farmers, rather than big businesses. This...
Read MoreRegional Farmers Market Feasibility Study
In Louisville, Kentucky, Market Ventures and Karp Resources completed a Regional Farmers Market Feasibility Study, in an effort to expand the local food economy of Louisville and its surrounding communities. The aim was to study the expected increase in sales of locally grown food in an urban setting like Louisville. In addition, this extensive study...
Read MoreHealthy Food Healthy Communities
This publication is written in both English and Spanish and provides informational recipes specific to the various fruits and vegetables that can be found in New Mexico. The publication is aimed at informing the public of the nutritional benefits of buying local produce. In addition, this document contains information regarding nutritional assistance programs helpful farmers...
Read MoreLocal Food SystemsConcepts, Impacts, and Issues
By United States Department of Agriculture
This comprehensive overview of local food systems explores alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems. Statistics suggest that local food markets account for a small but growing share of U.S....
Read MoreMarket Forces: Creating Jobs through Public Investment in Local and Regional Food Systems
By Union of Concerned Scientists
Market Forces: Creating Jobs through Public Investment in Local and Regional Food Systems reviews recent research on these systems and their economic effects. The report, detailing economic benefits of Farmers Markets and other local food outlets, recommends the following policy changes: Increase funding for programs that support local and regional food systems. Raise the level of research on the...
Read MoreLet’s Move Cities and Towns — Toolkit for Local Officials
By Let's Move!
Let’s Move Cities and Towns — Toolkit for Local Officials is designed to help local officials in launching their own Let’s Move! campaign in their city, town or county. There are a variety of activities and resources provided in this toolkit. The Let’s Move! initiative invites you to explore the menu of options and decide...
Read MoreReal Food, Real Choice: Connecting SNAP Recipient with Farmers Markets
By Community Food Security Coalition / Farmers Market Coalition
Real Food, Real Choice: Connecting SNAP Recipient with Farmers Markets is an in-depth study of the use of SNAP benefits at farmers markets. The report examines the issue from a variety of perspectives, including the capacity of farmers markets to operate programs to accept EBT (electronic benefits transfer) cards; the types of programs that markets...
Read MoreTerminals, Tokens, and Time, Oh My! Farmers Market SNAP Success: What Does It Take?
Terminals, Tokens, and Time, Oh My! – Farmers Market SNAP Success: What Does it Take presents a summary of research, recommendations, and a roadmap for expanding and sustaining SNAP in farmers markets. In addition to providing data on recent trends on SNAP use at farmers markets, the presentation highlights 15 profiles of states that have...
Read MoreAre Farmers Markets a SNAP?
By Iowa Department of Human Services
Are Farmers Markets a SNAP is a powerpoint presentation describing how SNAP works in conjunction with farmers markets in Iowa. It also includes a general information that is applicable to anyone interested in how SNAP benefits can work at farmers markets. The resource outlines the Iowa model for EBT and then shifts the focus to...
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