CARAT: Community & Agriculture Resilience Audit Tool

What is CARAT?

The CARAT is a nationally recognized, community-engagement tool that helps communities understand how their local food systems function, from food production and distribution to access, coordination, and resilience during disruption. The CARAT assessment is being conducted through a collaboration between Sustainable Nantucket, Nourish Nantucket, the Marion Institute, and local community members.

Why is CARAT important?

Through the CARAT assessment, Nantucket aims to strengthen coordination across its food system, identify opportunities to improve resilience and food access, and align local efforts with regional food system planning across Southeastern Massachusetts. The CARAT will create a shared framework the community can revisit to track progress, identify gaps, and guide future planning and investment.

“As an island community, our vulnerabilities are many, but none as important as access to food. The CARAT analysis will allow us to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Nantucket’s food supply chain and devise solutions in a way that preserve our environmental resources and provide nutritious food for all.”

- Posie Constable, Managing Director of Sustainable Nantucket

CARAT meetings happen every other Wednesday, and are conducted remotely via Zoom.

We have formed a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to focus on the seven themes of the CARAT. Interested in joining the CAB and getting involved? All Nantucket community members are welcome.

join today