News on Processing and Distribution
Bus Tour Success
Sept. 2011 The Santa Barbara Ag Futures Alliance (SBAFA) has now completed parts 1-3 of the four-part Farm to Fork series aimed at raising awareness countywide about local agricultural resources. SBAFA’s latest excursion took them to Betteravia Farms’ large cooling and storage warehouse, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Los Adobes de Maria farmworker housing complex, and one of the nation’s largest greenhouse operations, Windset Farms, all in the city of Santa Maria. Over 30 participants attended the September bus tour, including a staff member for Congresswoman Lois Capps and two representatives of the local County Board of Supervisors. All participants walked away with a broader understanding of some of the farming and farm related practices taking place in their own backyards. A photo slide show of the event can be seen on Facebook.
Sonoma FSA Presents Food Forum Report to BOS
Aug. 2011 The Sonoma County Food System Alliance presented their Food Forum report to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on August 9.
Read More »School Food Service Survey Reports Interest in Local Produce
Aug. 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. Download the report for more details.
Sonoma County FSA Releases the Community Food System Assessment
July 2011 As eaters, we all have a stake in the health of our food system. A new report from the Sonoma County FSA points out that the many other reasons to care about what’s happening in this area of our community.
Read More »Context Matters: Visioning a Food Hub in Yolo and Solano Counties
June 2011 The students from a UC Davis graduate seminar in Food System Analysis recently completed an assessment of the local food system for the Yolo Ag and Food Alliance.
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