Utah counties enhance food access plan to combat food insecurity

The Summit County Board of Health meeting on May 15, 2023, focused on a regional food access plan aimed at addressing food insecurity across Summit, Wasatch, and Utah counties. Health educators Tabitha and Natalie presented updates on a year-long project that involved collaboration between the counties to improve food access for vulnerable populations.

The project, facilitated by Health Management Associates, included key informant interviews with food pantry operators and resident surveys, which gathered insights from around 200 participants. The surveys identified four main barriers to food access: rising living costs, location and access issues, lack of awareness of available resources, and stigma associated with seeking assistance.

The team outlined two primary goals for the food access plan: to assess the strengths and weaknesses of current food access systems and to provide actionable recommendations for regional partners and community organizations. Among the findings, the low enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Summit County was highlighted as a significant concern.

Based on the data collected, the group proposed several recommendations, including the formation of a resident advisory group, enhancing outreach for food pantry services, and improving enrollment in WIC and SNAP programs. The stakeholders prioritized these strategies, with a focus on increasing outreach and enrollment in nutrition assistance programs as the top priority.

Looking ahead, the steering committee will continue to meet to refine these strategies and develop a comprehensive action plan for the next five years. The meeting concluded with an invitation for further questions and discussions about the ongoing efforts to improve food access in the region.