Getting to the Root of the Problem: Community and Researchers Promoting Food Security and Environmental Justice in Western Michigan

Traditional approaches aimed at addressing health disparities in marginalized communities have incorporated research findings in the delivery of services. Although the purpose of public health research is to improve the healthcare environments of the target populations, this approach is driven by professionals and often fails to equip the community with the skills needed to make long-term improvements. Too often, once research projects end, so do the benefits to the community. Long-term change must be grounded in a communal approach and relevant research that build community constituents' capacity, providing them with the ability to identify problems and carry out purposeful action. Our Kitchen Table (OKT), a local grassroots organization, was founded to address health disparities in Grand Rapids, Michigan. OKT's primary goal is to promote social justice through its secondary goal: food activism. In 2010, OKT leveraged funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to strengthen the capacity of residents to address food and environmental disparities by creating resident owned and managed healthy food demonstration sites. Ultimately, the OKT founder wishes to design a food justice model that can be replicated in other urban areas. OKT has solicited help from researchers within and outside of the academic community. This paper presents the challenges and successes resulting from these partnerships. Challenges include issues with intellectual property, discordance with the community, and incompatible goals. Successes include the sharing of scientific data and theory, which advance project goals and build the community's capacity, along with the development of culturally-appropriate activities and materials.