What kinds of information are helpful to collect in the assessment?
Your assessment should be focused to help you to understand the behaviors of the people you are working with and the specific needs of the community. You may want to collect information about the eating behaviors of your target population: where they eat, how they cook and what they can afford to purchase. You may also want to look at this population s use of household chemicals and pesticides. What are their perceptions and practices? Are there dangerous behaviors that need to be addressed? In terms of community-level assessment, you might look at food availability, cultural food practices, and food preferences. Additionally you might consider the kinds of waste generated by your community and its industries and if that waste is processed safely. There are hundreds of kinds of information that can be gathered in a thorough assessment. To make it manageable, it is best to target your needs and gather information in stages.
