Food insecurity is a growing concern in Springfield, Missouri. More and more families are not able to meet basic needs. One study showed that, “in 2022, 15.5% of households in Springfield were food insecure, up from 12.8% in 2021.”

In response, local organizations are prioritizing meaningful partnerships in hopes of alleviating the most pressing issues.

One such partnership is between the Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) and Missouri State University’s Citizenship & Service-Learning (CASL) office. CPO’s recent Food Collaborative Strategic Plan seeks to improve food access and community health by addressing critical barriers.

And Missouri State service-learning students are playing a vital role.

CPO has outlined four key priorities in their plan:

1. Food access
2. Education
3. Support for vulnerable populations
4. Community partnerships

Of the priorities, food access is where many of our Missouri State service-learning students are stepping in to make an immediate impact. Additionally, service-learning students may be placed with the other priorities as needed and as it aligns with their learning goals.

Service-learning students are setting the stage

Service-learning students are helping launch one of the plan’s cornerstone projects: a living document that will serve as a centralized resource for local food access programs, services, and opportunities. As part of the work, students are conducting a “landscape assessment.” This entails the mapping of existing resources across the area and identifying problems that consistently prevent people from accessing food.

The landscape assessment is more than just a data collection exercise. Federal budget cuts from the Trump administration are leading to a $2.2 million loss for vital food programs (such as Springfield Community Gardens) for the next several years. So, it’s more crucial than ever that efforts create a foundation for lasting change. By identifying gaps in the current system, Missouri State students are contributing to potential future solutions, wisely grounded by the experiences of community members.

“Energy and persistence conquer all things”

It’s clear from a decade of studies that the Springfield area has seriously struggled with food access and essential resources. With increasing inflation, federal budget cuts, low wages, and limited employment opportunities, the sober truth is that things seem to be getting worse. Time will tell if CPO’s latest collaborative will create meaningful, lasting change. However, having a strategic plan formed from a foundation of data and analysis that leans on the talent of Missouri State students is a promising start.

The outlook may often look dire in Springfield, but high-level collaboration is something the city has always done well. CPO’s commitment to making a difference in the Springfield area and beyond aligns with our goals here at CASL. We’re proud of our partnership with CPO. We’re excited about connecting Missouri State students to opportunities that not only develop them professionally but also contribute to the greater good.

Food insecurity isn’t going away overnight. But by working together—and centering students in the solution—CPO and CASL are building a future grounded in knowledge, collaboration, and hope.