The Community Food Systems Employment Data project (COM*FED) seeks to better understand the evolving roles of this critical-change workforce.

 Using the combined tools of job description data analysis and surveys, COM*FED strives to make visible the collective impact of community food systems practitioners' work roles in developing more resilient, equitable and healthful local and regional food systems.

ABOUT OUR KEY PARTNERSHIP WITH OSU

 The North American Food Systems Network and The Knowlton School of Architecture at The Ohio State University's College of Engineering have agreed to collaborate on the Community Food Systems Employment Data Project. 

This project includes 

• a practical component led by NAFSN;
• a research component led by OSU-based researchers.

The project currently seeks a secure data management partner to join this effort to help us create an open-source searchable database for workforce researchers. 

what do we seek to learn?

* What details can be discovered about livable-wage jobs in food systems development that show evidence of social-capital building and connectivity growth?

* What skills and knowledge sets do employers seek with respect to what is being taught in food systems studies academic programs?

* Who is getting these jobs and do they have the lived experiences in the communities in which they serve? Who is not getting these jobs?

* What is the nature of the work roles that leads to positive outcomes? What is essential?

* What work is being done in community food systems development with respect to gaps and weaknesses identified by those communities?

This graph show average min and max salaries offered for different types of roles in community food systems work across the US in 2023.