Equitable Community Food Assessment Toolkit
June 5, 2026 - Lindsey Scalera, Keesa V. Johnson, Kolia Souza, and Jordan Lindsay
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EmailWhat is an Equitable Community Food Assessment (ECFA)?
The Michigan Good Food Charter defines an equitable food system as a system that “...promotes just and fair inclusion in a society where all people can participate, prosper, and have the power to make decisions.”
An equity centered community food assessment (ECFA) is a collaborative and liberatory process that systematically examines a range of community food assets in deep harmony with humanity and the land around us in order to inform social and economic change and begin the process of strengthening a healthy food system.
The U.S. food system has both shaped and been shaped by racial injustice since its inception. Systemic factors—including a range of racialized policies—have contributed to persistent inequities in food and agriculture.
Practicing an equitable community food assessment benefits the community because it strives for representation.
This toolkit, prepared by the Michigan Local Food Council Network, aims to guide those who seek to conduct an equitable community food assessment in their own communities.
This publication and process was funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services with financial support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the State Physical Activity and Nutrition grant. Consulting was provided by public health consultant with MDHHS, Janee Moore.
Suggested Citation
Scalera, L., Johnson, K. V., Souza, K., Lindsay, J. (2026) Equitable Community Food Assessment Toolkit. Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems. https://sites.google.com/msu.edu/mlfcn-ecfa/home?authuser=0
