Cooperative Extension Service seeking Pulaski County participation in local food survey
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Dec. 3, 2019
Fast Facts:
- Residents in seven Pulaski County zip codes needed for online survey
- Part of larger study to gauge effectiveness of efforts to bring fresh, local foods to consumers in central Arkansas
- Access survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LFVARK2
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LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is asking Pulaski County residents in seven zip codes to make their experiences known and help shape the future of local food in urban areas.
The Cooperative Extension Service’s Community, Professional and Economic Development unit is participating in a multi-state research project designed to gauge the performance of the central Arkansas local food system.
Julianne Dunn, instructor of economic development for the Cooperative Extension Service, said the department is seeking input from residents in seven zip codes: 72202, 72204, 72205, 72209, 72076, 72216 and 72120.
The short, anonymous survey gives respondents the opportunity to rate the efforts of local food merchants — farmers’ markets, grocery stores, food trucks, restaurants and more — to make fresh, locally-sourced foods available to consumers.
Dr. Stacey McCullough, director of the Community, Professional and Economic Development unit, said that getting a better reading on how local food producers and retailers are interacting within communities is essential to the success of both businesses and the communities themselves.
“Interest in local foods continues to grow,” McCullough said. “Understanding what’s working well and what’s not is important in ensuring that consumers have access to local foods and businesses are profitable.”
The online-only survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LFVARK2.
The survey is only one part of the survey, McCullough said. The Cooperative Extension Service will also be reaching out to producers and other stakeholders in 2020 to get a complete picture of the system. Dunne is available to answer questions about the survey and the larger study at jbdunn@uada.edu.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Ryan McGeeney
Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu