You are invited to learn more about a new research project being conducted as a part of an field research course in Christopher Newport University’s Department of Sociology, Social Work, & Anthropology. The focus of the project is food access, food security, and food justice in SE Newport News.

Our central research objectives are:

(a) to map the complex social and spatial networks of food access in a region characterized by high levels of food insecurity;

(b) to identify core barriers to food access in the study area, and to better understand how, exactly, these barriers affect food security; and

(c) to use this understanding to identify potential policy solutions that could improve local and regional food access and food security.

The purpose of this community meeting is to give the public the opportunity to learn more about the project, and to invite anyone who is interested to participate in the research. This meeting is open to the public, and participation in the research is not required or expected.

This research is being conducted under the direction of Dr. Johnny Finn, a professor in the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology at Christopher Newport University, in partnership with the VA Peninsula Foodbank and the Hampton Roads Community Action Program. Please contact Johnny for further information: john.finn@cnu.edu or 757-594-7939.