Not listed THE FOOD ACCESS IN THE CHATTANOOGA TRI-STATE SECTOR (FACTS) PLANNING GRANT WILL FOCUS ON IMPACTING FOOD INSECURITY IN THE REGION BY ADDRESSING THE NEEDS FOR COLLECTING BASELINE DATA ON THE CURRENT FOOD SYSTEM AND AGGREGATING A LOCAL FOOD COALITION EMBOLDENED TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS. THE PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE REGIONAL EFFORTS TO LEARN BEST PRACTICES, ENGAGE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE FOOD SOLUTIONS, AND ESTABLISH A ONE-VOICE ADVOCACY PATHWAY FROM RESIDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT. BEFORE STEPS CAN BE CONFIDENTLY TAKEN TOWARDS RESOLVING FOOD ACCESS ISSUES IN THE CHATTANOOGA TRI-STATE REGION, WE NEED TO GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT.THE ACTIVITIES PROPOSED IN THE FACTS PROJECT HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO LEVERAGE THE RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST DEVELOPED BY THE YMCA AND CRABTREE FARMSTO COLLECT THE BASELINE DATA REQUIRED FOR THE REGIONAL PLANNING EFFORTS BEING IMPLEMENTED BY LOCAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS. NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GIVE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES A REAL VOICE IN DIRECTING DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO FOOD ACCESS AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. THIS DATA CAN THEN BE COLLECTED IN AGGREGATE AND SYNTHESIZED INTO A FINAL REPORT WHICH CAN BE USED TO ADVOCATE TO POLICY-MAKERS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO ESTABLISH A LOCAL FOOD COALITION WHICH CAN SERVE AS THE DIRECT LINK FOR ONGOING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THIS LINK WILL HELP DEVELOP INNOVATIVE CONNECTIONS ACROSS DIVERSE SECTORS OF THE FOOD ECONOMY OF THE REGION, INCLUDING RESIDENTS, FARMERS, GROCERY STORES, RESTAURANTS, AND THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. THESE CONNECTIONS WILL IN TURN LEAD TO EMPOWERMENT OF LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES TO GO DIRECTLY TO RESOURCES THEY NEED, AND SPUR ON ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS IN BOTH THE NONPROFIT AND FOR-PROFIT SECTORS.THE DATA COLLECTED WILL ALSO BE USED TO ENGAGE WITH STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA TO DEVELOP AN ONLINE MAP OF RESOURCES AND DATA COLLECTED; PROVIDING AN ACCESSIBLE AND PERSUASIVE RESOURCE FOR CHANGE. IN THIS WAY, THE FACTS PROJECT WILL HELP TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS; CONNECT FARMERS, RESTAURANTS, MARKETS, AND RESIDENTS; LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INVOLVING NUTRITION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND FOOD PRODUCTION; ILLUMINATE GRASSROOTS PERSPECTIVES ON LOCAL NEEDS FOR POLICY-MAKERS; AND DEVELOP AN ONGOING VOICE FOR THE TRADITIONALLY MARGINALIZED. ($1k) 12/1/23 Not listed THE REGIONAL FOOD COALITION PLANNING GRANT WILL FOCUS ON IMPACTING FOOD INSECURITY IN THE REGION BY ADDRESSING THE NEEDS FOR COLLECTING BASELINE DATA ON THE CURRENT FOOD ENVIRONMENT. $25.0k 7/5/22