Listening First: What We’re Learning About Durham’s Food Future

Building a stronger food system begins with listening.

Over the past several weeks, our team has had the privilege of joining Durham residents at community events and around the table to talk about food, not just what people eat, but how food connects to transportation, health, neighborhoods, and quality of life. Through our work supporting the Durham County Food System Assessment and 10-Year Strategic Plan, we are helping create opportunities for residents and stakeholders to shape a shared vision for Durham’s food future.

Meeting People Where they Are

Rather than relying solely on surveys or public meetings, the project team is taking engagement into the community. We recently participated in Durham Hunger Day, where residents explored maps showing food insecurity patterns and voted on food system ideas they would like to see in their neighborhoods. Community members showed strong interest in concepts such as community gardens, food cooperatives, mobile markets, healthy corner stores, and neighborhood-based food access solutions.

Figure 1. Table for Durham Hunger Day

We also joined residents at Juneteenth in the Park, where conversations with families, seniors, and community leaders reinforced the importance of creating engagement opportunities in spaces where people already gather. These events provide valuable opportunities to hear from people who might not otherwise participate in formal planning processes.

In addition, we held our first community listening session in the heart of Durham, creating space for residents to share their experiences and perspectives in a more intimate setting.

Figure 2. Community Listening Session at Banu Vegan

Food is About More than Food

One lesson that has emerged from these conversations is that food systems touch nearly every aspect of community life. Residents are discussing issues that extend beyond grocery stores and restaurants. Access to transportation, affordability, health and nutrition education, neighborhood resources, and opportunities for growing food locally all influence how people experience the food system.

Participants have also highlighted the importance of ensuring that older adults, families, and historically underserved communities are included in conversations about the future of food in Durham.

Figure 3. Speaking with Residents at Juneteenth Event

These conversations reinforce a key principle of food systems planning: solutions are often interconnected. Transportation, housing, economic opportunity, public health, and community development all play a role in creating a stronger and more resilient local food system.

Listening Before Recommending

At this stage, our role is not to prescribe solutions, but to listen. Community engagement is designed to help identify priorities, uncover opportunities, and ensure that future recommendations are grounded in the lived experiences of Durham residents and stakeholders.

The Food System Assessment will continue to engage stakeholders across the entire food value chain, from producers and food businesses to institutions, transportation partners, and residents. By bringing together these perspectives, Durham County can develop a roadmap that reflects both community priorities and long-term resilience.

Figure 4. Collaborating with Durham Residents

Building Durham's Food Future Together

Planning for the future of food is ultimately about more than access to healthy meals. It is about creating a food system that supports local businesses, strengthens neighborhoods, improves health, and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We are grateful to the residents, organizations, and community partners who have already shared their time and ideas. Their voices will help shape a stronger and more resilient Durham for years to come.

Community engagement for the Durham County Food System Assessment and 10-Year Strategic Plan is being conducted in partnership with Durham County Cooperative Extension and Planning4Health, LLC.