Our Research
From data to decisions.
Research helps us understand where needs exist, what is driving them, and how our food system can better serve Central Texans.
Our nationally recognized research brings together data, community insights and cross-sector expertise to better understand food access and the systems that shape it. We generate original research, build tools that make complex information useful, and work with partners to turn what we learn into action.
Our approach includes:
Generating research grounded in community needs.
We work with academic and community partners to study food access, evaluate impact, and answer questions that can help strengthen our regional food system. Our Food Access Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) combine data with community input to understand local strengths, barriers and opportunities. This helps ensure the experiences and priorities of Central Texans are represented alongside quantitative data.
Making regional data accessible.
Good information is most useful when people can actually use it. The Central Texas Food System Dashboard brings together data about the many factors that shape our regional food system, creating a shared resource for CTFB, community organizations, researchers, policymakers and other partners. It helps us identify patterns, understand differences among communities and track change over time.
Turning insights into action.
Research informs decisions both within CTFB and throughout our region. We use data to evaluate our work, identify opportunities and guide strategic investments. We also serve as the backbone organization for the Central Texas Regional Food System Council (RFSC), bringing together partners from throughout the food system to establish shared priorities, coordinate efforts and strengthen regional food system planning.
Together, these efforts help move us from understanding a challenge to identifying solutions. By pairing rigorous research with community knowledge and regional collaboration, we make more informed decisions about where resources are needed today while investing in a stronger, more resilient food system for the future.
