Results from the Ontario Edible Education Network’s 2017 Survey to Inform its Future Directions
Posted: July 13, 2017
Categories: Edible Education Network / GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Ontario
In May 2017, the Ontario Edible Education Network asked for feedback into a survey to help it focus its future efforts and conversations. During the 5 weeks that the survey was open we received 19 responses. The following post offers a brief summary of the themes that emerged. You can also download the more detailed summary of results.
Thank you to all of you who completed the survey! If you haven’t yet had a chance to input into it but want to make your voice heard there’s still time: Click Here to provide your input and we’ll update the survey results as additional responses come in.
Quick summary of key themes that emerged from the survey responses:
- The Network should put a strong focus on advancing collaborative advocacy efforts:
- Advocacy is both the activity that respondents are currently most involved in (61%; tied with school gardens) and that respondents would most like to be more involved in that they are not already doing (28%).
- Collaboration support (facilitating joint advocacy efforts, coordinating collaborative projects) was respondents’ top choice re: what areas the Network could focus on that would fill a gap / best support people’s needs (89% of respondents).
- Paid Sustain Ontario members chose the “Opportunity to provide feedback about or to add your signature to advocacy or policy documents” as the second-most important benefit of paid membership for them (56% of respondents).
- The Network should support project collaboration and relationship building:
- Support with relationship building and creating support systems (e.g. introducing people and programs, building a community of practice) was respondents’ second highest choice to the question that asked what areas the Network could focus on that would fill a gap / best support people’s needs (74% of respondents).
- Paid Sustain Ontario members stated that the potential for “Being included in joint grant applications / projects with other Network members” was the most important member benefit that was of interest to them (78% of respondents).
- News and information (26%) and training efforts (37%) were less of a priority for respondents.
- Sustain Ontario members also enjoy promotional support (44%) and member rates at conferences (56%). Not many are excited about the idea of joining another listserve (33%).
Preparing for Bring Food Home:
Respondents would like to see the Ontario Edible Education Network support each of the themes that were proposed for the discussions at Bring Food Home:
- Local Networks: Some key ways that the Network could play a role include connecting people and groups together, supporting advocacy efforts, and helping to share information across the province.
- Evaluation and demonstrating impacts: The Network could support this issue by coordinating evaluation and communication efforts, providing resources and training (evaluation tools and workshops), and offering messaging that groups can use to make the case for their programs.
- Support for working with school boards: The Network could help to develop relationships, support collaboration, share information, and support joint problem solving.
Download the detailed summary of results