Masters Thesis

Planting seeds for sustainability: identifying potential food insecure regions of Humboldt County, utilizing geographic information systems

Access to healthy foods is increasingly impaired by socio-economic and environmental influences. Providing a region with an adequate supply of food and access are basic tenets of a sustainable foodshed. This thesis highlights food access in Humboldt County, California by identifying and mapping local food production and food retail location resources utilizing a geospatial lens. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology I assessed local food access and production patterns overlayed with socioeconomic data to identify regions of Humboldt County having adequate or inadequate access to fresh and healthy food. Multiple GIS methods including participatory mapping, proximity and distance measures were employed to analyze food access throughout the county. Spatial analysis of food resources allows for determination of adequate or inadequate food access and classification of potential food insecure areas in Humboldt County. This research will benefit the community by highlighting vulnerable neighborhoods without access to quality fresh and healthy food resources. The project will also provide the new Humboldt County Food Policy Council with necessary data to work on strengthening food access for food insecure neighborhoods. Keywords: food access, food security, food insecurity, foodshed, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Participatory GIS (PPGIS), Humboldt County.

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