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The Delta Fresh Foods Initiative (DFFI) is a diverse coalition of community stakeholders committed to establishing sustainable, equitable community food systems in the Mississippi Delta. Members of the group include growers, consumers, health and agriculture educators, food retailers (including farmers' markets and other outlets), community-based organizations, funders, healthy food advocates and more.

February 2010 saw the birth of DFFI, in partnership with WhyHunger, a national non-profit organization committed to building the food movement throughout the country and around the world.

THE DELTA FRESH FOODS INITIATIVE ENGAGES IN A VARIETY OF PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

Sustainable Network Development

Build regional capacity and local shared leadership for Delta Fresh Foods Initiative

Create Demand

Educate and attract consumers for locally produced, healthy food products

Build Supply

IIncrease availability of locally grown, healthy food products for regional consumers

Build Market Capacity

Build infrastructure and skills necessary to start and expand local and regional markets

Support Structural Change

Engage in partnerships to support policies and initiatives to promote all of the above

A good food revolution is taking root in the Mississippi Delta! Since our first gathering in February 2010, Delta Fresh Foods member partners have continued to build a vibrant network of passionate people who are working to develop equitable community food systems all across the region. Some of our past projects are listed below.

BOLIVAR COUNTY GOOD FOOD REVOLUTION

Building Health and Wealth in Bolivar County

The Delta Fresh Foods Initiative, in partnership with local growers, mayors, schools, and others has launched the Bolivar County Good Food Revolution to bring economic opportunities and better health outcomes to Shelby, Mound Bayou and Winstonville through building a strong local food system. The Bolivar County Good Food Revolution trains and engages area young people in meaningful ways including data collection, consumer education, food production, distribution and marketing.

With generous support from the Bolivar Medical Center Foundation, the Newman's Own Foundation, and others, we are working with community stakeholders to increase food production and make more nutritious, locally grown fruits and vegetables available to more than 5,000 residents in Bolivar County, MS. Young people have learned valuable job skills and continue to play a strategic role in the effort to build health and wealth in their own communities.