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Category Archives: Food Access

Food hubs a valuable tool for farmers and consumers – from the Sacramento Bee

May 15, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

By Edward Ortiz, Sacramento Bee When employees at technology giant Oracle sit down to lunch, they often eat produce grown in Yolo County’s Capay Valley. The fruits and veggies come from the Capay Valley Farm Shop, which buys from more than 40 farmers in the valley and delivers to chefs that work in restaurants and institutional cafeterias, primarily in the …

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Posted in Agricultural Marketing, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Nutrition, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

USDA announces grants to enable more farmers’ markets to serve low-income families

May 8, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced the availability of up to $3.3 million in competitive funding to support the ability of farmers markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (CalFresh in California). These awards will help expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other nutritious foods found at farmers markets, while supporting …

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Posted in Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Nutrition | 1 Comment

USDA Awards Grants to Support Schools Serving Healthier Meals and Snacks

March 6, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

Up to $25 million will be provided for new food service equipment; $5.5 million for training WASHINGTON, March 6, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding over $30 million in grants to help schools prepare healthy meals for their children. Twenty-five million dollars in grants will help schools purchase …

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New study shows kids eating more healthy food at school – from the USDA

March 5, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

A new study from the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut shows that children are eating healthier food at school and discarding less food since updated healthy school meal standards took effect in 2012. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement on the report’s findings: “Updated healthy school meal standards were developed based on doctors’ …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access, Nutrition, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Final results announced for 2014-15 California State Employees Food Drive

February 23, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

…and the results are in! Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced today the final results of the 2014-15 California State Employees Food Drive. The Food Drive raised more than 622,000 pounds for needy families and residents of the greater Sacramento area. California state employees donated more than $167,000 to …

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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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Posted in Community-based Food System, Food Access, Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holiday spirit shines at CDFA

December 18, 2014   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

One of the perks of my job as Secretary of Agriculture is my annual visit to several of our department’s offices in the Sacramento area. The holidays are a traditional time of giving and my staff at the California Department of Food and Agriculture fully embrace that spirit throughout the season by dreaming up and fulfilling charitable campaigns, “adopting” local …

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California among states selected by USDA for participation in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables

December 8, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

Pilot will support schools’ efforts to procure more fruits and vegetables; Offers new opportunity that supports local producers and local economies WASHINGTON, December 8, 2014 – Today USDA announced the selection of eight states to participate in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables, as directed by the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm …

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Governor Brown, Secretary Ross recognize December as Farm to Food Bank Month

December 3, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

Farm to Food Bank Month California is America’s most robust and bountiful agricultural producer. With over 81,000 farms and approximately 400 crops, agriculture in the Golden State is responsible for feeding much of the nation and world. As California’s economy recovers amidst one of the worst droughts on record, farmers and ranchers across the state are also doing their part …

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Posted in AG Vision, Food Access, Nutrition, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

State employees donate 13 tons of turkey, help set record at Sacramento Food Bank

December 1, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

A partnership between California state employees and the Sacramento Food Bank has helped produce a record number of turkey donations. The food bank accepted more than 9,300 turkeys for needy families in the 2014 Turkey Drop, with 1,760 of them–more than 26,000 pounds (13 tons!)–provided by state employees. The Turkey Drop is one element in the ongoing State Employees Food …

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