Produce Perks Midwest (PPM) seeks a consultant to develop processes and provide recommendations for incorporating community member engagement into the Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network (OHNIN).

Total available project budget is $6,000.

Background

The Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network (OHNIN), established in 2016, is a multi-sector coalition working toward a shared vision of affordable access to healthy, local foods and a healthy, equitable and resilient Ohio food system. With a mission to increase nutrition security while strengthening Ohio’s local food systems, OHNIN represents diverse regions of Ohio and collaborates with unique stakeholders to advance nutrition incentive programming statewide. OHNIN utilizes a hub-and-spoke model; PPM serves as the Hub organization, providing administrative and programmatic support. Network members from across the state inform PPM’s nutrition incentive programs, like the flagship program – Produce Perks, which served over 30,000 people and generated over $2 million in healthy food sales in 2022.
It is a primary goal and value of OHNIN to develop programming that is responsive to the needs of all members of the community, including SNAP shoppers, farmers, and market managers. This necessitates listening and engaging directly with the community in which our programming is serving. Previously, engagement with individuals representing the communities served has been limited due to capacity and has mostly involved community surveys.
As a burgeoning network borne out of a ‘coalition of the willing’, we have struggled to find the resources to do the work of authentic relationship-building and compensation for direct participation within OHNIN by select community members. We intend with this project to receive input and build relationships from under-represented stakeholders. We expect that through this relational work, and implementing accountability processes with independent facilitation, the network will be a more conducive place for members of the community being served by our programming.

Scope of Work

Best Practices and Case Studies from Other Networks

Complete qualitative research on similar networks that include community engagement within their formalized structure. This could include interviews with other networks, requests for engagement and/or operating procedures, or a literature review. Survey and Systems Review & Recommendations

Recommend Network Operating Procedures

Through a collaborative process, facilitate OHNIN in assessing its current structure and capacity and developing a blueprint for modes of community engagement and beneficiary membership (subcommittees, listening sessions, etc). Review and make recommendations for updates to OHNIN’s Network Operating Procedures, as it relates to community engagement and beneficiary membership.

Attend OHNIN/Project Meetings

Attend/lead at least 12 hours of project meetings with PPM staff and 2-3 OHNIN meetings. Consultant will keep detailed notes of project meetings.

Prepare a Final Report

Prepare a final report that details research and recommendations.

Proposal Submission Requirements

Proposals must contain, at a minimum, the following:
1. Detail on relevant projects and reports you have produced previously. Preference will be given to applicants with previous experience in relevant fields (e.g., farmers’ markets,
local food systems, nutrition incentive programs, community engagement, nonprofit
networks, and coalition building).
2. Contact information for two to three references from organizations or clients you have
worked with previously.
3. An overview of how you would approach the proposed project, including timeline,
process, and estimated costs. This project must start by July 31st, due to reporting
deadlines.

Proposal Submission Requirements

Proposals must contain, at a minimum, the following:

  1. Detail on relevant projects and research to which you have previously contributed. Previous experience in relevant fields (diet-related diseases, nutrition assistance/incentive programs, culturally relevant diet-based interventions, local food systems) is a plus.
  2. Detail on data collection and survey platforms used in previous projects.
  3. Contact information for two to three references from organizations or clients you have worked with previously.
  4. Your system of client reporting and communication.
  5. An overview of how you would approach the proposed project, including timeline, process, and estimated costs.

Direction for Vendors

Proposals should be emailed in a single PDF document to [email protected] by COB Monday, July 10th.

 

PRODUCE PERKS MIDWEST IS DEDICATED TO DIVERSIFYING OUR CONTRACTOR BASE. WE SEEK TO WORK WITH BUSINESSES THAT SHARE OUR VALUES OF SOCIAL AND RACIAL EQUITY AND ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES TO MINORITY-OWNED, WOMEN-OWNED, VETERAN-OWNED, LGBT-OWNED, AND DISABLED-OWNED BUSINESSES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.