Question.3839 - Business Proposal Project Summary Throughout this course you will be completing an action research project based on a real organizational problem that you identify. The assignments for each topic build on one another, therefore it is important to complete each one. Content from each assignment will be used to complete the final business proposal in Topic 8. There are several parts to the business proposal, and each part has been explained and briefly outlined below. The descriptions provided should be used as a guide to assist you with constructing each section of the business proposal. Word count guidelines are provided for each section of the business proposal. It is important to include specific data throughout the business proposal. Include statistics that support the problem statement; can be used to establish and track goals; relate to specifics of implementation, timing, and cost; and illustrate stakeholder benefits. Keep in mind that the proposal is an internal document that will be read by stakeholders within the organization in which the problem exists. Focus on this audience as you write. Within the Word document, include subsection titles to organize the content according to the categories listed below to provide easy reference points for the reader. Executive Summary In order to tackle the critical issue of food insecurity in Bornx, the Green Bronx Machine initiative is implemented, wherein the program is intended to target the residents who are vulnerable and exposed to poor accessibility to fresh and healthier food resources. This proposal provides an outline implying a?multifaceted approach to counter some of the challenges the community faces by establishing a sense of engagement along with innovative agricultural practices like vertical farming. By establishing a collaboration with local stakeholders, the program aims to empower?domestic community members to grow their own food to a certain extent, thereby enhancing their nutritional knowledge and improving overall health outcomes with an intent to develop a sense of sustainable solution. The proposal emphasizes a?direct correlation between access to nutritious food and the reduction of health issues by assessing and providing secondary scholarly information that depicts how obesity and diabetes are?prevalent in urban food deserts. By streamlining the educational programs in a centralized model to integrate it into schools, the Green Bronx Machine not only provides fresh produce but also fosters a sense of community responsibility and stewardship. The anticipated outcomes include improved health metrics for marginalized populations, job creation within the community, and sustainable economic growth. The main objective of the proposal is to serve as a call to action for all the stakeholders involved, to have them invest in scalable solutions within an equitable environment that enables accessibility to healthy food options, ultimately transforming the Bronx into a healthier, more resilient community. Purpose Statement The business proposal intends to address the underlying critical issue of food insecurity across Bronx community, in order to counter it with sustainable solutions within a collaborative and inclusive environment and to enable community driven solutions that provides residents with improved accessibility to fresh and healthier food resources, particularly people below the poverty line and those belonging to marginalized communities and also empowering them through education and revamping their existing agricultural process to vertical farming. The Green Bronx Machine project targets overall public health by combating the adverse effects of living in a food desert, such as obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition-related health disparities. The project has the potential to create varied job opportunities by engaging local stakeholders to promote environmental stewardship, aligning with both social responsibility and economic growth like empowering the local communities to actively position the poorer people among them within the food production sectors, to foster a culture of health, sustainability, inclusivity and resilience. Problem Statement The Bronx community is experiencing a severe and persistent problem with food insecurity with limited accessibility to fresh and nutritious foodparticularly in urban "food deserts"leaving large segments of the population, particularly those in low-income and marginalized communities, vulnerable to negative health outcomes. Several socioeconomic constraints and environmental limitations in these areas tend to work as barriers restricting accessibility and availability to healthier food; the higher cost of nutritious food options to marginalized people aligned with the scarcity of governmental grocery stores, restrictive governmental policies, and insufficient community support networks all contribute to an ecosystem where affordable, healthy food remains out of reach for many Bronx residents. The inaccessibility directly influences overall public health, as evidenced in the higher rates of obesity and diabetes rates, which are often consequences of poor diet choices driven by a lack of healthy alternatives. Also, due to lack of awareness and education related to nutrition in both domestic school level and mainstream education - further exacerbates food insecurity in the Bronx. With the bleak potential to engage a community-driven approach interrelated with food education and without sustainable practices, the existing vulnerabilities are unlikely to improve for the target. Learning from existing datasets pertaining Bronx's food insecurity, there is a demand to establish a centralized and integrated governmental support, such that provide policy-backed solutions that directly address these socioeconomic barriers. Considering the hierarchy of the problem, a comprehensive intervention that integrates accessibility to food sources, nutrition education, and stakeholder collaboration is essential. Data and Research Findings Date of Collection Source Type of Data (Qualitative/Quantitative) Summary of Findings 2024-09-01 NYC Food Insecurity Report Quantitative Food insecurity affects 32% of Bronx households. 2024-09-02 Green Bronx Machine Internal Report Qualitative Vertical farming projects have increased fresh food access by 20%. 2024-09-03 Community Health Survey Quantitative Obesity rate in the Bronx is 25%, linked to poor diet. 2024-09-04 Non-Profit Urban Farming Report Qualitative Community engagement with urban farms has improved food education. 2024-09-05 Health Impact Study Quantitative Healthcare costs linked to malnutrition have risen by 12%. Date Source Data Type Summary of Findings 2024-09-11 Community Garden Project Review Qualitative Previous community garden initiative had limited success due to lack of resources and maintenance. 2024-09-13 Staff Interviews Qualitative Employees express interest in participating in community food initiatives but lack time and resources. 2024-09-14 Cost Analysis Quantitative Estimated cost of implementing a mobile farmers market is $10,000 per month. Research into existing efforts addressing food insecurity reveals several successful models that emphasize community involvement and education; wherein the Green Bronx Machine has pioneered an urban agriculture curriculum that integrates gardening into school programs, resulting in significant positive outcomes. For example, over 867,310 servings of fruits and vegetables** have been consumed by students involved in the program, internal reports from Green Bronx Machine indicate that schools implementing similar garden-based education programs report higher student engagement and improved academic performance. Considering the data from Azhar et al. research (2023) which implies that over 30% of the existing Bronx residents are vulnerable and exposed to food insecurities with poorer accessibility food resources which also conveys that the flow of food recourses they get are poor in nutrition impacting the poorer communities with over 25% reporting that they are either are skipping meals or consuming unhealthy meals due to food affordability issues implying that the problem demands more innovative and scalable solution to tackle immediate food need of the local communities and establish a sustainable structural intervention that contributes to food deserts. 2222500292100Community and Education 00Community and Education 3225800279400Government and Resources 00Government and Resources 165100292100Food Accessibility 00Food Accessibility 1206500105410Economic Barriers 00Economic Barriers 1219200758825Economic barriers prevent residents from purchasing healthy food 00Economic barriers prevent residents from purchasing healthy food 3225800771525Ineffective or inaccessible governmental resources. 00Ineffective or inaccessible governmental resources. 22225001536700Poor education on healthy eating practices. 00Poor education on healthy eating practices. 1225552275840Inadequate local infrastructure for food distribution. 00Inadequate local infrastructure for food distribution. 1397001524000High cost of healthy food options. 00High cost of healthy food options. 2222500784225Insufficient community involvement in food production. 00Insufficient community involvement in food production. 152400758825Urban food deserts limit the availability of fresh produce. 00Urban food deserts limit the availability of fresh produce. According to the research conducted by Cheung (2024) tends to depict that, vertical farming has the potential to yield over 10 times more?produce per square food when compared to the?conventional farming approach and also utilizes around 70% lesser water which makes it a?more sustainable approach and establishing the scope for mitigating possible risks involved in the supply and demand trends of agricultural produce. Findings from Data Analysis Considering the data analyzed from varied resources regarding the Bronx's experience with food insecurities, certain key findings include: NYC Food Insecurity Report emphasizing the alarming reality that 32% of households in the Bronx face food insecurity, and most of the suffering stakeholders belong to below-poverty, implying that there is a urgent necessity for sustainable solutions. Secondly, the Green Bronx Machine's internal report indicates that vertical farming has already demonstrated success in terms of building a sustainable structure with increased fresh food accessibility domestically by increasing around 20% through these projects, showing promise in scalable urban agriculture models. Further quantitative data from a Community Health Survey indicates that around 22 to 25% of Bronx residents experience deprecating health implications like obesity, often due to poorer dietary preferences influenced by limited accessibility to nutritious food. The Non-Profit Urban Farming Report stated that community engagement in urban farming initiatives has led to improved food literacy, giving people a sense of accountability over their food resources, which is a promising indicator of the impact that food education can have on dietary habits. Moreover, a Health Impact Study indicates that healthcare expenditures associated with malnutrition have expanded by 10 to 12%, implying an economic burden that could be alleviated through healthier diets and community-centered farming initiatives can mitigate this by promoting both health and economic sustainability, the intent is to build resilience among poorer population. The analysis also draws attention to the limited effectiveness of past efforts, such as a Community Garden Project Review, which indicated challenges with resource allocation and maintenance. Yet, staff interviews and cost analyses underline community interest and support for new initiatives, even if financial and logistical constraints pose challenges. The Green Bronx Machines success with a school-based agriculture curriculum, which has provided over 867,310 servings of fresh produce to students, further validates the potential of integrated, educational approaches. In conclusion, the data findings tend to imply that there is a dire need for implementing sustainable and community-centered interventions to address food insecurity in the Bronx. Vertical farming and comprehensive food education, backed by local partnerships and stakeholder engagement, stand out as promising solutions to create a healthier, more resilient community. Proposed Solution (subjected to change based on budget constraints, stakeholders desires and implementation outcome assessment) To effectively address the problem of food insecurity in the Bronx, three primary solutions have been identified: firstly, vertical farming initiatives in schools and community centres can drastically increase local produce availability while minimizing land use by creating an inclusive environment for all the local stakeholders to engage and help those within their communities to reap the benefit of produce, in order to increase the rate of healthier food resource accessibility; the assumption of pro outcome would be to produce higher yield per square foot with reduced water consumption. Assumption of con would be a higher initial set up cost, which would add a burden on the local exchequer and require higher ongoing maintenance. Secondly, inclusive community education/engagement programs by developing workshops focused on nutrition and gardening skills can empower residents hoping to improve the stakeholders understanding about healthier eating and foster a sense of community engagement; the assumption of con would that it requires consistent funding; may face resistance from those unfamiliar with gardening. Thirdly, build partnerships with local businesses to empower collaboration creating a network for distributing fresh produce. Stakeholder Analysis and Benefits For local residents and marginalized communities, if the proposed solutions are implemented, residents gain consistent accessibility to fresh produce, which is expected to significantly improve their nutritional intake. In addition, community-driven agricultural education fostering a structure of self-sufficiency, also giving the individuals a sense of growth towards building food security and enhancing their food knowledge. The program could improve overall health metrics, reducing medical expenses and creating a supportive, health-focused community environment. Secondly, in term of schools and education institution, if implemented appropriately, the students will benefit from healthier meal options, which may positively influence academic performance by reducing the impacts of malnutrition on cognitive development; also build a culture of hands-ono experience of cultivating crops introduces valuable life skills, promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement. Thirdly, within the scope of community organization and local businesses/retailers - if implemented with a higher success rate, the community organization / local businesses, including retailers, markets, and small vendors - will increase overall community well-being by strengthening social ties and obtain accessibility to food resources; while businesses can expect increased customer loyalty and foot traffic from residents who are attracted to fresh, locally-grown produce. Fourth, in terms governmental policy makers - it will improve overall public health metrics, reduce healthcare costs, and address systemic food insecurity issues by aligning with public health objectives to combat obesity and diabetes, especially within underserved urban communities. Successful implementation may also reduce dependence on social health services by addressing food insecurity at its root, leading to long-term savings in public healthcare costs. Change Management Plan To manage organizational changes associated with implementing vertical farming initiatives effectively, specific strategies will be employed: firstly, engage with stakeholder with regular meetings with community members will ensure their needs are met throughout implementation; secondly, have accessible programs like workshops for staff and volunteers on vertical farming techniques. Thirdly, establishing an open and inclusive environment/system for collecting feedback from participants will allow for continuous improvement of farming practices. Additionally, build a behavioral and cultural sustainable shift by reinforcing the importance of endurable practices through community workshops focused on the broader benefits of food security and health through reward systems. Implementation Methods In order to validate the root cause, starting with phase 1: there is a need to gather relevant secondary data (both qualitative and quantitative) on the presence of food deserts and the availability of fresh produce in the Bronx, establishing target audience of research to understand with section of society suffers the most, then phase 2: analyze the socioeconomic data within the scope of costs of food resources and it impacts the economic barriers, then third phase 3: survey the level of community involvement and the effectiveness of local food production initiatives and last phase 4 is to review the awareness outreach program to assess how effective are governmental interventions in terms of resources supply/aid being utilized by the target society to address food security The implementation strategy will focus on establishing vertical farms within local schools over a 12-month timeline: - Phase 1 (Months 1-3): Site selection and initial setup costs estimated at $50,000 for materials and training. - Phase 2 (Months 4-6): Training sessions for teachers and volunteers on vertical farming techniques. - Phase 3 and 4 (Months 7-12): Launching educational programs alongside farm operations; ongoing costs estimated at $10,000 per month for maintenance. This phased approach ensures gradual integration into existing school curricula while managing costs effectively and subject to change depending on the budget constraints and stakeholders involved. Evaluating Success Success will be evaluated through several key metrics: firstly, assessing the overall health outcomes within the scope of how food played a vital role in influencing them by monitoring changes in obesity rates among participating students over time. Secondly, assess the environment of food accessibility among the target audiences involved, and the engagement levels of the stakeholders ranging from how well the intervention has been received/ reached/impacted, how the stakeholders are being benefited from it, what are challenges in actuality, and running a before/after analysis. Thirdly, the amount of produce harvested monthly from vertical farms is tracked, and the potential for sustainability. Conclusion/Call to Action To realize this vision of improved food accessibility in the Bronx through the Green Bronx Machine initiative, we urge key stakeholders to support funding efforts for vertical farming projects. Together, we can cultivate healthier communities that thrive on sustainable practices and shared responsibility. References Azhar, S., Ross, A. M., Keller, E., Weed, J., & Acevedo, G. (2023). Predictors of food insecurity and childhood hunger in the bronx during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 1-14. Azhar, S., Ross, A. M., Keller, E., Weed, J., & Acevedo, G. (2024). A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Identifying Facilitators and Barriers to Social Service Utilization for Food Pantry Clients in the South Bronx. Journal of Nonprofit Education & Leadership, 14(3). Cheung, E. S. L. (2024). Neighborhood Gentrification and Food Insecurity Among Urban Older Adults: Evidence From New York City.?The Gerontologist,?64(7). Cult of Pedagogy. (n.d.). Green Bronx Machine. Retrieved from https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/green-bronx-machine/ Green Bronx Machine. (2024, April). Green Bronx Machine Documentary: Generation Growth - Virtual Premiere, April 23, 2024, 7 PM EST. Retrieved from https://greenbronxmachine.org/2024/04/green-bronx-machine-documentary-generation-growth-virtual-premiere-april-23-2024-7-pm-est/ ? Green Bronx Machine. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://greenbronxmachine.org/about/ Green Bronx Machine. (n.d.). Curriculum. Retrieved from https://greenbronxmachine.org/curriculum Growing a Greener World. (n.d.). Green Bronx Machine. Retrieved from https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/green-bronx-machine/ Hundred. (n.d.). Green Bronx Machine. Retrieved from https://hundred.org/en/innovations/green-bronx-machine Nieves, C., Dannefer, R., Zamula, A., Sacks, R., Gonzalez, D. B., & Zhao, F. (2022). Come with us for a week, for a month, and see how much food lasts for you: A Qualitative Exploration of Food Insecurity in East Harlem, New York City. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 122(3), 555-564. Purpose Mindset. (n.d.). Case Study: Green Bronx Machine. Retrieved from https://purpose-mindset.org/blog/f/case-study-green-bronx-machine Sirotin, N., Hoover, D. R., Shi, Q., Anastos, K., & Weiser, S. D. (2014). Food insecurity with hunger is associated with obesity among HIV-infected and at risk women in Bronx, NY. PloS one, 9(8), e105957.
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