ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

Appendix A - Methodology
This section of the appendix overviews the research methods employed
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the limitations implicit to each section. In doing so, this section aims to minimize
any misinterpretation and clarify the results of this report.
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as well as supplementary analyses for ‘Local Growing Capacity’, ‘Economic
Viability’, ‘Regulatory Framework’, ‘Best Practices’, and ‘SWOT Analysis’, uses
some similar methodologies, but also implements a unique method of its own.
Generally, the research methods used for this report fall under two categories:
quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis. It is important to note that both
approaches are not mutually exclusive. The following portion of the section
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each section that needs to be addressed separately in this section.
OVERALL APPROACH
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this report, each section utilizes different data sources to deliver the most adequate
analysis techniques for the goals of each analysis.
I. Quantitative Analysis
This is one of the two main approaches for various analyses of this report.
It is applied to varying extents and includes the assessment of current conditions
for ‘Introduction’, ‘Background’, ‘Production’, ‘Processing’, ‘Distribution’, and
‘Disposal’; it is also used as the basis of further analysis for land capacity and
economic viability. Several data sources, such as the US Census, the Economic
Census, and Non­Employer Statistics were used for different sections of this
report. Detailed data sources are referenced either in the corresponding chapters
or in the following section.
Also of note, two computer software programs are used for quantitative
analyses. Microsoft Excel 2010 is used to record the general frequency and
percentage matrix, and IMPLAN® Version 3.0 is used for the analysis on the
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section.
II. Qualitative Analysis
The other main approach is qualitative analysis, which includes the
referencing of relevant documents for contextual research, as well as case studies
of the food system in Erie County. It also serves as the basis for the ‘Regulatory
Framework’, ‘SWOT Analysis’ and ‘Best Practices’ sections of the report. Several
data sources, such as municipal government websites, the University at Buffalo
Libraries, along with Internet websites of relevant agencies and institutions, are
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used to examine information for each section based on its own objectives. In some
cases, additional data and advice is acquired from informed representatives from
pertinent agencies to instruct further analyses. Such sources of information are
referenced in either the corresponding chapters of this report or later on in this
section.
III. Spatial Analysis
Spatial analysis employed using data sources and ArcGIS software
to demonstrate spatial patterns within Erie County. Several data sources were
used, including the US Census Bureau, the US Department of Agriculture, and
SSURGO. Such sources of information are referenced in the corresponding
chapters of this report, or later on in this section.
SPECIFIC METHODOLOGY
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utilized by each section of this report, while citing the rationality and
methodological constraints of each analysis in order to provide a guideline to
interpret the outcomes of the report.
I. Chapter 1 ­ Consumption
A. Demographic Characteristics
Demographic data are obtained mostly from the Census Bureau.
For instance, data on total population, age, sex, diversity are provided by the
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and employment are gained from the Summary File 3. Census data from both
2000 and 2010 are used to gauge the changes in county demographics over this
span. As of yet, 2010 Census information on income, poverty, birthplace and
employment are not available at the block group or census tract level within Erie
County. For this information, the most recent (2009 and 2010) 1­year estimates
from the American Community Survey are used.
B. Food Security
This section addresses food security in Erie County, focusing on the
access to food, quality, and affordability of food, and also public food assistance
programs. Starting with a description of trends in levels of food security at
national and state scales, the analysis extends to reference a study conducted by
the Economic Research Service, USDA (Coleman­Jensen et al., 2011) which
presents the proportion of food­secure households, by household typology, within
the United States.
Lastly, a description of the major public food assistance programs
available for low­income residents of Erie County is included. The information
on SNAP and WIC recipients are taken from the Food and Nutrition Service of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. The information on SFMNP is obtained from the
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the information on