Policy Week 1

Policy – Week 1 Journal

Dates of rotation: (Monday) October 2, 2017 – (Friday) October 6, 2017

Location: CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute

 

Activities & Assignments:

  • Started doing food environment observations for the Communities for Healthy Food Program
    • Part of the program involves visiting groceries and convenience stores to take measurements of food items available to people in specific neighborhoods.
    • Used NEMS as the survey
    • First field work was in West Harlem Group Assistance (WHGA)
      • Did NEMS Survey 1 grocery store and 1 convenience store
      • Walked around the specified neighborhood parameters to look at food retail outlets.  Prior to going out to the field, we were asked to compile a list of retail food stores in the area using Dr. Cohen’s supermarket database and the NY Agriculture and Markets.  Using this list as we walked around the neighborhood, we checked off stores that matched the list we had.  We also made sure to check stores that have closed or new retail food stores that have recently opened.
        • Most conveniences store owners were very open to helping us with letting us collect data
      • Once we were done collecting data, we inputted the information in the spreadsheet file provided to us
  • Looked over West Harlem Info
  • Compiled food retail list for Bedford Stuyvesant (NEBDHCo) using Ag & Markets and Dr. Cohen’s Supermarket Database.
    • Also picked 2 groceries and 2 convenience stores to do the NEMS Survey.
    • Prior to going out into the field, we looked over the compiled list and made sure that we checked for any closures so we can double check if they are actually closed when we get there.
  • Attended a talk at CUNY Social security challenges and rising food insecurity in the UK: A conversation with Liz Dowler

Comments / Thoughts / Challenges:

  •  Some store owners did not allow me to conduct the NEMS survey in their establishment.  I had to search for other stores within the assigned neighborhood and talk to the store owners to get permission to visit their store.
  • Some store owners did not speak English.  I either had to ask someone to interpret for me or I just had to find another store to observe.
  • Conducting the food retail count was challenging because some of the neighborhoods were very large and not all of the stores on our list matched what we actually saw in person.
  • Some stores did not have proper signs to verify the name or address of the place

Learning Objectives Met:

CRDN 1.1: Select indicators of program quality and/or customer service and measure achievement of objectives.

CRDN 1.3: Justify programs, products, services and care using appropriate evidence or data.

CRDN 1.4: Evaluate emerging research for application in nutrition and dietetics practice.

CRDN 1.6: Incorporate critical thinking skills in overall practice.

CRDN 2.8: Demonstrate negotiation skills.

CRDN 2.9: Participate in professional and community organizations.

CRDN 2.14: Demonstrate advocacy on local, state or national legislative and regulatory issues or policies impacting the nutrition and dietetics profession.

CRDN 3.3: Demonstrate effective communications skills for clinical and customer services in a variety of formats and settings.

Total Clock Hours: 40 hours and 30 minutes

 

 

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