Plan Overview

GOALTACTICSTAGS
1. Establish the systems and positions necessary to implement a permanent, sustainable, accountable state leadership structure for food security to increase all Nevadans’ understanding, value and support of food security solutions.

1a. Secure technical assistance to evaluate and identify optimal business processes for Nevada’s food security system including state agencies, food banks, and regional and local nonprofits in order to determine the role each plays in closing the meal gap.
1b. Establish an Office of Food Security in the Director’s Office of the Department of Health and Human Services.
1c. Create a Statewide Food Policy Advisory Council that links to and leverages regional and local community-based efforts.
1d. Support the consolidation of appropriate USDA programs under the Nevada Department of Agriculture to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
1e. Fill staffing and technology capacity needs in state agencies to optimize and expedite access to resources.
1f. Determine baseline status for all goals in the Food Security plan.
1g. Promote a state policy encouraging outreach which draws down additional federal/grant dollars.
1h. Create an evaluation plan to measure progress on increasing food security in Nevada.
1i. Coordinate and resolve issues with state and non-state agencies, measuring and reporting on progress in increasing food security for Nevadans on an annual basis.
Good Food Governance; Leadership/Staffing; Network/Bodies/Council (FPCs); Regional Collaboration; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; Food System Plan Implementation; Food System Coordination

2. Promote a policy agenda to increase food security in Nevada.

2a. Adopt a policy to authorize CNP, SNAP, and WIC to utilize all of the available opportunities established by USDA.
2b. Establish a multi-agency resource team to pursue innovative solutions, demonstration projects and funding, available through the federal government, foundations or other sources to increase the number of people fed and close the meal gap.
2c. Research and develop a menu of model policies/regulation options to promote food security in Nevada.
2d. Promote policies on a state and local level to encourage Nevada farm products to enter systems that serve Nevadans including institutions, schools, senior centers, and child care centers by promoting policies (develop a menu of model polices/regulations).
2e. Develop and implement a campaign to increase the public’s awareness of food and nutrition resources, remove the stigma associated with receiving food assistance, and ensure that Nevada policymakers are aware of benefits from available nutrition programs.
2f. Policy Council review and update plan.
Food Security; Good Food Governance; Food Sysem Coordination; Legislation; Purchasing Power (consumers); Food Access (consumer); Food & Income Assistance (SNAP, WIC, etc.); Food in Public Institutions; Food in Schools
GOALTACTICSTAGS

1. Maximize participation in each federal nutrition program available to the state.


1a. Feed more children through increased participation in in-school meal programs and establish accountability measures.
1b. Expand partnerships between regional food banks and commodities programs to effectively utilize and deliver all USDA commodities programs along with fresh produce
1c. Create a strategic partnership between WIC and SNAP to maximize caseloads.
1d. Create partnerships and sponsorships to feed more children through out of school meal programs and daycare centers using Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
1e. Replicate effective models to increase rural capacity for children’s out of school meal programs.
1f. Assist school districts and charter schools with implementing the state’s wellness policy and support the Office of Child Nutrition Programs’ enforcement of the policy.

Nutrition & Health;
Food in Public Institutions; Food in Schools; Food Security; Food Access (consumer); Food & Income Assistance (SNAP, WIC, etc.);

2. Establish and integrate an actual or virtual “one-stop-shop” system to increase access to food and other services for food insecure Nevadans.

2a. Increase the number of services providers and places within a community and neighborhood to increase access points to healthy food by food insecure people who may be ineligible for federal nutrition programs.
2b. Assess and implement a single, statewide database system that integrates with other information and service systems (e.g. 2-1-1, Federal Nutrition Programs)
2c. Collaborate with the Consumer Assistance Committee of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange on a single point entry/application process for multiple assistance programs across systems.
2d. Strengthen partnerships and increase efficiency to implement a “one-stop-shop” for all assistance programs.
2e. Expand partnerships linked to a “one-stop-shop” to address risk factors that increase food insecurity.
Good Food Governance; Food Security; Food System Coordination; Food Access (consumer); Food Availability (retailers);
GOALTACTICSTAGS


1. Increase the number of servings of nutritious foods consumed by Nevadans – with emphasis on foods that are produced in Nevada.


1a. Encourage local producers to establish aggregation centers to increase retail and wholesale sales.
1b. Support and expand model programs and partnerships (e.g. school gardens, community gardens, and small food plots) to supplement a household’s supply of fresh produce or encourage entrepreneurial efforts, with a focus on individuals utilizing the food security network.
1c. Develop a food system asset map (inventory) to catalog existing food resources and potential resources in the state that could be leveraged further. (Refer also Goal 1.b under Reach.)
1d. Analyze the asset map, prioritize and recommend investment and collaboration opportunities to increase food security and its economic impact.
1e. Use identified aggregation, processing, and distribution capacity to pilot the utilization of local foods into the food security networks and Nevada institutions (e.g. Farm to School, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program).
1f. Work with producers and other stakeholders to identify and address barriers preventing the production, sale, and use or expansion of local foods.
1g. Develop an education and marketing plan to encourage consumption of nutritious, local foods, focused on individuals that utilize the food security network.


Nutrition & Health; Good Food Governance; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; Food System Coordination; Good/Local Food Economies; Producer Market Access; Supply Chain Infrastructure;
GOALTACTICSTAGS


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1. Change the current models of purchase (commodities) and distribution of nutritious foods to increase economies of scale, and link frequency of deliveries, and availability of local food to the specific needs of communities throughout the state (rural, urban, and food deserts).


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1a. Conduct a comprehensive benefit analysis study of the current state and nonprofit commodity/food delivery March 1, 2014 system that includes cost efficiency, frequency of delivery, and recommendations.
1b. Develop a comprehensive client/community food supply assessment to determine what organizations, agencies March 1, 2014 and groups are providing services as well as the frequency and schedule of deliveries to determine efficiencies and opportunities for streamlining food distribution processes. (Refer also to 1.c under Grow.)
1c. Use food asset maps to develop a coordinated distribution delivery process, establish a network to enable a July 1, 2014 truck to reach several areas in a single trip and ultimately provide more food to communities.
1d. Establish a “one-stop-shop” for agencies to acquire produce and other foods from regional food banks and January 1, 2015 expand nutritious food options beyond what is available for free through commodities programs.


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Supply Chain Infrastructure; Food Transport; Good/Local Food Economies;
Public Procurement; Good Food Governance;
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning;

2. Develop the technology to connect and share data among multiple state agencies, regional food banks, community agencies, and faith based organizations for efficient and effective targeting of services and populations.		2a. Use data and information from the shared software system to track client services, program utilization, and July 1, 2015 target new distribution points based on needs.
Good Food Governance; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; Food System Coordination

Plan Information

CategoryDatabase entry
Plan RegionNevada
Publication Date2013 (Revised 2018)
Entry reviewed by original authorYes
PDF attachmentView Full Report
Plan TitleFood Security in Nevada: Nevada’s Plan for Action
Webpagehttps://dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/OFS/GCFS_Meetings/OFS_-_Governor_s_Food_Security_Council/
Author(s)The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, conducted by Social Entrepreneurs, Inc. (contractor) 
Author Type Government
Region Type State
Funding Sources State Government
FundersNevada Department of Health and Human Services
Total Project BudgetUnspecified
Plan GoalsFood security-focused: Improve the quality of life and health of Nevadans by increasing food security throughout the state, particularly through the coordination of stakeholders.
Key principles of the report:1. Incorporate economic development opportunities into food security solutions.2. Use a comprehensive, coordinated approach to ending hunger and promoting health and nutrition, rather than just providing emergency short-term assistance.3. Focus on strategic partnerships between all levels of government, communities, and nonprofit organizations including foundations, private industries, universities, and research institutions.4. Use available resources in a more effective and efficient way.5. Implement research-based strategies to achieve measurable results.(p. 1-2)
Intended AudiencePolicymakers, Network, State partners, Community partners
Plan Recommendation StructureFour main categories (Lead, Feed, Grow, Reach). Each category has 1-2 goals; each goal has a set of specific tactics. For each tactic, a “target end date” is identified. 
Catalyst for PlanA government agency (Health and Human Services) identified the need. The initial development of the Office of Food Security in 2011 by Governor Brian Sandoval was followed by the creation of the Governor’s Council on Food Security and Nevada’s Plan for Action in 2013. This was off the heels of the great recession that resulted in a large increase in statewide food insecurity rates. 
Creation Process1. Government contracted Social Entrepreneurs, Inc. (SEI) to lead the process
2. Created a Food Security Steering Committee
3. Created three workgroups (Grow, Feed, Reach). “Lead” workgroup was added later that year to coordinate the plan creation process. 50+ stakeholders participated in these groups.
4. Stakeholder engagement:- Key informant interviews (17 individuals)- 10 focus groups (90 residents)- Survey (1,673 resident respondents)
5. Best practices research (review of other plans and best practices)
(p. 22-23)
The plan was updated in 2018. An update to the plan is currently in progress, set to be released in 2023.
Theoretical Framework(s) Employed  N/A
Theoretical Framework(s): Additional LiteratureUnspecified
Development Timeline1 year
Implementation StrategyEach recommendation has a clear implementation target date and milestones (p. 17). 
Implementation TimelineApprox. 2 years
Evaluation StrategyAnnual evaluation across three benchmarks (p. 18):1. Reducing food insecurity2. Reducing very low food insecurity3. Increasing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates
Definitions and historical trends across each benchmark are provided on pages 18-21. 
International Development Framework(s)None
Current Plan StatusUpdate in progress
Government Adoption StatusAdopted
Government Adoption Status (Notes)
Supplemental Documents N/A