The distinction for the CAPIO’s 2020 Excellence in Public Information & Communications (EPIC) Best in Show – Large Population was awarded to the City of Oceanside for their Green Oceanside Kitchen, a state-of-the-art food recovery and preservation facility. 

With the independent judging panel scoring this entry a perfect 100, the project was recognized for the city’s use of research and a clear feedback loop embedded in media outreach. 

One judge noted, “I am finding myself at a loss to give constructive feedback. Excellent job using research to establish goals while painting the picture of what happened at the event.”

With the kitchen set to begin operations in fall 2019, the city hired NV5 to assist the city in reaching its goal of raising awareness of food waste issues, the kitchen which was built to address these issues and its various benefits and offerings.

While multiple strategies and tactics were utilized to meet this goal, the entry focused on the media relations tactic that tied into a larger strategy to reach key audiences including residents, business owners and elected officials in San Diego County.

Another judge said, “Impressive entry from the planning stage all the way through the evaluation. Well done.”

According to the City of Oceanside, With the kitchen set to begin operations in fall 2019, the city hired NV5 to assist the city in reaching its goal of raising awareness of food waste issues, the kitchen which was built to address these issues and its various benefits and offerings.

By meeting the SMART objective, the city and NV5 provided a valuable return on investment by delivering key messages to stakeholders through media coverage. With 10 placements and 2.4 million impressions earned (see supporting materials), the target audience knows about the Green Oceanside Kitchen and how to support the goals of food recovery and reduce waste and hunger.

Congratulations to the City of Oceanside!

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