Covid-19 Response

Covid-19 ResPONSE

As the short and long term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to emerge and evolve, disrupting our daily lives and challenging us to think and act differently, the Food Systems Leadership Network is offering multiple ways for members to connect with peers and experts to ask questions, exchange ideas and resources, and work together to create more equitable and resilient food systems.

Lean into this network as a resource and a source of inspiration to help you make sense out of chaos, find patterns and connections, and discover opportunities for collaborations and partnerships. See below for images of organizations in COVID response from across the country.

  • The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest VeggieRx program hustled to provide contactless delivery/pick-up of over 5000 bags between March and October!

The FSLN COVID Response Listserv


This national listserv is focused specifically on identifying, amplifying, and replicating the solutions, innovations, and collaborations that are emerging in response to COVID-19. Since launching in March, the listserv has become a dynamic venue for exploring and acting on our best ideas for driving resilience and equity in our communities, and is serving as a platform for organizing around needed resources, policy shifts, collaborations, or other actions. This listserv is the FSLN’s primary channel for COVID-specific communications.

In response to questions, discussions, and themes that have emerged through the listserv, the FSLN partnered with individuals with topical expertise to deliver relevant and timely calls that addressed emerging concerns and issues and offered space for folks to exchange resources and explore opportunities. Access past calls and resources below.
During the early stages of the pandemic, the FSLN team did a bi-weekly distillation of the insights, innovations and needs that came up in discussions into brief reports that we shared back to the group, with funders, and with partners at the USDA.

We hope you’ll join this listserv to share ideas, build solidarity, and further tap into the knowledge within this national community of food systems leaders.


Access Community Wisdom

Biweekly recaps, Call notes, recordings and resources have been curated and shared in one convenient location.

TitleDescriptionTags
Direct to Consumer Innovations in Response to COVIDHow did local food businesses and orgs respond to COVID and keep feeding their communities? …, , , , ,
Value Chain Adaptations During COVID-19How are value chain practitioners adapting their practice in response to COVID-19? How are value …, , , , ,
COVID-19 & Small & Mid-Sized Meat Processors: Exploring the Challenges, Solutions, & a Path ForwardHow does the small scale meat supply chain respond to a pandemic? While COVID-19 has …, , , , ,
Using Maps for Food Systems Access and PlanningWith COVID-19 disruptions in supply chains, mapping and analyzing food availability and flows can be …, , , , , ,

COVD-19 Resource Spreadsheet
This spreadsheet is a compilation of key resources that have been curated from across the country and organized by category. This is an open and working document – please contribute to it!

Have ideas for how we can best support you? Email us at [email protected] 

Local Food Systems Response to COVID Team

The Wallace Center is partnering with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service along with a team led by the University of Kentucky are conducting a research project to document and disseminate innovations and best practices from local and regional food systems leaders in response to the COVID pandemic. Wallace Center is thrilled to be a partner in this research to share the brilliant resilience and creativity of the value chain businesses and organizations in our community. Learn more about the project and access resources here!

Sign up for The Listserv

Please note, it may take up to 24 hours to access the listserv