Sonoma County FSA Releases the Community Food System Assessment

July 2011 After convening for the first time in 2009, members of the Sonoma County Food System Alliance recognized the need for a comprehensive review of the local food system. The Assessment Committee volunteered to conduct research and interviews to write and compile this report. It is a working document that is intended to provide a roadmap to a healthier, more profitable and sustainable local food system. Final editing of the document was made possible through the generous support of the Palm Drive Healthcare Foundation.

Among the discoveries of the Community Food Assessment is the ability to bring another $100 million of federal funds to our community simply by increasing enrollment in the CalFresh program – and we’d go a long way to improving the health of our most vulnerable citizens. The assessment also shows that an investment in local distribution and processing facilities could bring an economic benefit to the county through new jobs, the recirculation of sales dollar in the local economy, and increased sales tax revenue to municipalities.

The Food System Alliance is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to healthy food, and that local farmers and food service workers can make a fair living making that food available. Click to download the Sonoma County Community Food System Assessment (pdf) or the press release. Also check out the article in the Sunday, Aug. 7 edition of the Press Democrat, or download the pdf.