Sonoma Action

School Food Service Training

2011 Sonoma County FSA hosted a free School Food Workshop on October 25 for Food Day, which provided a review of best practices, networking opportunities with local farmers interested in selling to local schools, menu and recipe ideas.

School Food Service Survey

2011 The Farm-to-Institution Committee of the Sonoma County FSA released the School Food Service Produce report on August 8. The document reports the results of a survey of Sonoma County school food service leaders, and indicates that 84% of schools are interested in purchasing local produce directly from a grower or from their distributor. While cost was cited as the biggest barrier to purchasing local produce for school lunches, there is enthusiasm among both food service departments and their parent/student population for seasonal fruits and veggies on the menu.

Community Food System Assessment

2011 One of the first actions of the Sonoma County Food System Alliance was to recognize the need for a comprehensive review of the local food system. The Assessment Committee conducted research and interviews to write and compile this roadmap to a healthier, more profitable and sustainable local food system.

Sonoma County Food Forum, Feb. 24, 2011

2011 Co-hosted by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, UC Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County Department of Health Services and the Sonoma County Food System Alliance, the Sonoma County Food Forum was held on February 24, 2011. Over 300 people participated in the Food Forum, which was held at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds. Speakers and panelists from the local food system included producers and farmers such as Keith Abeles of Quetzal Farm, Doug Beretta of Beretta Dairy, local lamb producer Joe Pozzi, and Sheana Davis of the Epicurean Connection Shop in Sonoma. Local leaders in food security and public health such as Jane Doroff of the Council on Aging, David Goodman of the Redwood Empire Food Bank, and Tom Scott of Oliver’s Market, as well as Sonoma County Public Health Officer Mary Maddux-Gonzàlez.

Several media outlets covered the Food Forum in February, including Biteclubbeats.com, KCRB, Patch.com, and San Francisco Examiner.com. You may also download the press release (pdf) announcing the release of the Food Forum Report in August 2011.