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Category Archives: Community-based Food System

“Farm to Table Talk” podcast with Secretary Ross celebrates the progress of the Farm to Fork movement

October 2, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

When 70,000 people showed up last weekend to celebrate “Farm to Fork” at an annual festival in Sacramento, it was an opportunity for Farm to Table Talk podcast host Mark Wasson to sit down with three pioneering leaders of Farm to Fork: California Agriculture Secretary  Karen Ross; Chef and Owner of Mulvaney’s B & L Patrick Mulvaney; and Michael Dimock, President …

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Cultivators of Change – celebrating our shared diversity

June 28, 2017   Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Earlier this month I had pleasure to speak before the Cultivating Change Summit in Sacramento. The summit brought together LGBT agriculturalists from around the world who are working toward an equitable industry environment that is inclusive of all. It was a true honor for me to be recognized at the conference as a 2017 Cultivator of Change. California celebrates the diversity …

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June is fairs month – find a fair near you!

June 12, 2017   Office of Public Affairs
Posted in Community-based Food System, Fairs | Leave a comment

Farm-to-Food Bank Month a time for sharing and caring

November 16, 2015   Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

More than four-million people in California are food-insecure and need a little help. It just doesn’t seem right to have that many people lacking nourishment in a state that produces such a bounty of healthy food. In recognition of that need, five years ago, the State Board of Food and Agriculture launched an annual program with the California Association of Food …

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Posted in Community-based Food System, Food Access, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, State Board of Food and Agriculture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

USDA Awards $34.3 Million to Support Communities’ Local Foods Infrastructure, Increase Access to Fruits and Vegetables

October 6, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

Funding Supports Local Food Systems, Farmers Markets and Healthier Eating for SNAP Participants Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack helped to kick off the nation’s harvest season this week by announcing nearly $35 million in new funding through four grant programs to support local and regional food systems, including farmers markets. Secretary Vilsack has named strengthening local food systems as one of …

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USDA announces $9 million to support Community Food Projects program

February 19, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $9 million in funding to assist low-income individuals and communities in developing local and independent food systems. NIFA is funding the grants through the Community Food Projects program (CFP), authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm …

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Silicon Valley Needs Farmers Too – Farm to Food Bank Month Spotlight

November 24, 2014   Kathy Jackson, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is centered in one of America’s wealthiest regions. But as the cost of living soars, nutritious food has become a luxury for the nearly 250,000 people who depend on us for food every month. A recent article in USA Today highlights this disparity. More than two-thirds of our clients …

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From the Bakersfield Californian: Paramount’s Lynda Resnick leads Lost Hills transformation

September 5, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

From the Bakersfield Californian BY JOHN COX Californian staff writer Ruben Garcia remembers life in the western Kern County town of Lost Hills 30 years ago when there were few street lights, little to do and most roads were dusty or, depending on the season, muddy. But after hearing of Paramount Farms’ recent improvements to the town, the retired county …

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Posted in Community-based Food System, Farm Labor | 1 Comment

USDA Releases Farm to School Census – California’s profile is encouraging

October 30, 2013   Office of Public Affairs

In celebration of National Farm to School Month, the USDA has released the first ever Farm to School Census – capturing the survey results from more than 13,000 public school districts nationwide. Check out how California and your local school district  are doing. In California, the census reveals, more than 4,000 schools with over 2.5 million students are serving over $48 …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access | Tagged , | 2 Comments

State Fair Farm a valued partner in ag education, food bank support

July 17, 2013   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I was pleased this week to make a return visit to the California State Fair, which is now 160 years old and still going strong as a vibrant destination and showplace for the best that California has to offer. From the very beginning, farming was a major part of the fair, and I am proud to say that this tradition is as robust as ever. …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops | Tagged | Leave a comment