New roots: A program empowering refugee communities and promoting healthy behavior by engaging refugees as market farmers, community gardeners, and customers at local food markets

This session will describe the development and implementation of New Roots of Utah, a community-based agriculture and food access program for refugees that is co-lead by the International Rescue Committee, the Utah Refugee Coalition, and Salt Lake County Community Resources and Development Division. New Roots engages refugees in the development of a resilient local foods system through community gardens, market farming opportunities, and local markets that accept SNAP benefits. Refugees often arrive in the US with agrarian skills but are alienated by the complexity of the US food system and lack of familiar options. New Roots uses agriculture as a tool to support refugees from diverse countries and backgrounds in developing healthy dietary behavior after resettlement. Unique features of the program include support from the national IRC New Roots network, and a community oriented approach utilizing culturally appropriate foods to encourage healthy diets. Refugee farmers in the New Roots program market specialty ethnic crops at a SNAP accessible farm stand, creating an entry point for diverse low-income customers to access healthy, locally produced vegetables. New Roots has collaborated with multiple community partners, including State and County government, the University Extension office, community gardening organizations, and refugee service providers. In this session, we will discuss best practices implemented by New Roots, including the role of agriculture in promoting health, ways to generate and sustain community support, the development of instructional tools for non-English speaking and pre-literate clients from multiple language groups, and the health-related impacts for refugee community members.