ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes a teaching and research methodology used to engage undergraduates with local research related to food affordability and accessibility in the Lents neighborhood and at the Lents International Farmers Market. It investigates fresh food access and affordability within the Foster Green EcoDistrict. EcoDistrict Initiative, which was launched by the City of Portland in 2009, aims to address environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals and issues. The community partners expressed a desire for more information about the various farmers markets in the area in order to compare prices, availability, and the buy experience with the Lents International Farmers Market. Although investigating food origins was of less interest to the community partners, having students collect these data was a critical component of tying the field assignment back to the major themes of the class. The students' comments and suggestions fell loosely into four categories: farmers markets, logistics, the group format, and access to the research site.
