Evaluating Food Policy Councils Using Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

At least 282 Food Policy Councils (FPCs) are currently working to improve access to healthy foods in their communities by connecting food system sectors, gathering community input, and advising food policy. Empirical research on FPCs is limited. This study empirically evaluates FPCs to better understand the relationships between Organizational Capacity, Social Capital, and Council Effectiveness by testing a FPC Framework adapted from Allen and colleagues (2012). Members of all FPCs in the U.S., Canada, and Native American Tribes and First Nations were invited to complete the Food Policy Council Self-Assessment Tool (FPC-SAT). Structural equation modeling was used to test the FPC Framework. Three hundred and fifty-four FPC members from 95 councils completed the FPC-SAT. After slight modification, a revised FPC Framework was a good fit with the data (χ = 40.085, df = 24, p-value = .021, comparative fit index = 0.988, Tucker Lewis index = 0.982, root mean squared error of approximation = 0.044, p-close = .650). A moderation analysis revealed that community context influences the relationship between Social Capital and Council Effectiveness within the FPC Framework. The FPC Framework can guide capacity building interventions and FPC evaluations. The empirically tested framework can help FPCs efficiently work toward achieving their missions and improving their local food system.

New England food policy councils: An assessment of organizational structure, policy priorities and public participation

“…We therefore consider FPC membership to be an FPC attribute that can affect who is included in public participation opportunities, which is consistent with other research into FPC effectiveness (e.g. (Calancie, Allen, et al, 2018)). Our results show great variety among some of the attributes of the 12 surveyed New England FPCs engaged in policy efforts, including geographic scale and organization type ( Table 1).…”

“…At least half of FPCs operating in the U.S. and Canada report that their membership includes individuals from the following groups: community, public health, anti-hunger/emergency food organizations, producers, colleges/universities, government staff, healthcare, labor, retail, social justice, and economic development (Bassarab et al, 2018). A second survey of these FPCs found that breadth of membership is an important determinant of FPC effectiveness (Calancie, Allen, et al, 2018).…”

Evaluation Methods Commonly Used to Assess Effectiveness of Community Coalitions in Public Health: Results From a Scoping Review

“…Calancie et al. () used structural equation modeling to examine associations between coalition leadership, climate, membership breadth, and structure with member perceptions of effectiveness. Nargiso et al.…”

“…They then used mixed model regression to examine capacity-related predictors and adolescent alcohol outcomes collected through middle and high school student surveys. Calancie et al (2018) used structural equation modeling to examine associations between coalition leadership, climate, membership breadth, and structure with member perceptions of effectiveness. Nargiso et al (2013) examined correlations between diversity, structure, task focus, cohesion, and number of policy changes in substance use prevention coalitions.…”

Predictors of Farmers’ Market Shopping among People Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits

“…At the community level, findings highlight FM use is facilitated or constrained by some factors that are beyond the control of an individual that may be addressed through macro‐level change fostered by local food policy coalitions (Calancie et al., ). Our study offers evidence to support efforts to promote ease of access to FMs through strategic location, such as aligning FMs with public transportation or within settings where low‐income consumers reside and/or work.…”