Fresno News
Current Efforts
June 2011. Fresno County FSA spent 2011 developing its food system goals and initial priority project areas. With a large urban population and a rich agricultural economy, the Alliance is seeking to balance the needs of nutritionally underserved populations while preserving agricultural viability in the region. Fresno supports the largest agricultural economy in the Nation and has the largest income disparity of any region in California. The opportunity is immense for improving the lives of all citizens and the Alliance will be looking at the most effective ways of ensuring these opportunities are used for the long-term benefit of the citizens of Fresno.
Accomplishments in 2011
Members of the Fresno County Alliance include stakeholders from the Public Health department, small and large producers, environment, the Farm Bureau, economic development, community organizers, and more.
Fresno County Food System Alliance has initiated a Farm-to-School Committee to coordinate efforts in the county and region. Rather than piloting small projects, the Alliance wants to look at a county-wide solution
The Alliance has decided to hold a series of “dialogues” to discuss contentious issues such as water, food system workers (labor), and more. The Alliance feels that if headway is made on some of these issues in Fresno County, the rest of the state is likely to benefit.
The Alliance is collaborating directly with other local activities to ensure efforts do not compete but work with each other. Examples are: the local SARE initiative to create a strategic plan by producers for regional food system activities, Health Department funding to support local access initiatives, and an Urban Rural Roundtable
Fresno County Food System Alliance Goals
