final recommendations of the los angeles … · recommendation 1: develop a comprehensive set of...

FINALRECOMMENDATIONSOFTHE

LOSANGELESURBAN‐RURALROUNDTABLE

PresentedtoMayorAntonioVillaraigosa’s

LosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskForce

April15,2010

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableParticipantsLetterofConveyanceBackgroundRecommendation1:DevelopacomprehensivesetoffoodsystempoliciesfortheCityofLosAngeles.Recommendation2:Injectfoodandagricultureintothepublicconversation.Recommendation3:AlignandleveragethepoliticalstrengthoftheCityandregiontosupportkeyfederal,stateandregionalfoodandagriculturalpolicies.Recommendation4:Createaregionalfoodpolicycouncil.CoordinatingTeamAppendixA:SnapshotoftheLosAngelesFoodshedAppendixB:PreliminaryOpportunityMatrixAppendixC:BackgroundResources

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April15,2010PaulaDaniels,RobertGottliebandBruceSaitoCo‐ChairsLosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskForce1600CampusRoadMSM‐1LosAngeles,CA90041DearLosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskForceCo‐Chairs:FollowingarethefourrecommendationstotheLosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskforceformulatedbythe57membersoftheLosAngelesUrbanRuralRoundtable.RootsofChangefundedandstaffedthisuniquebodyofleaderstosupporttheCityofLosAngelesbecausewearecommittedtocreationofasustainablefoodsysteminthisState.Withoutthefullparticipationofyourcityanditssurroundingcommunitiesourgoalisunachievable.WepursuesuchagoalbecausethefutureofourStatedependsonrapidformationofacomprehensivesetoffoodpoliciesthatwillenableCalifornianstoimproveandmaintaintheirhealthandcommunityresilienceinthe21stCentury.Iamalmostcertainthatlatergenerationswillcharacterizethenexttentofifteenyearsasatimeoftroublesandtransitions.Hugeeconomic,social,environmental,andgovernancechallengesaboundatthelocal,state,nationalandinternationallevel.Theyrequireunprecedentedcrosssectorcollaborationinwhichgovernment,profitandnonprofitentitiesshareresources,strengthsandinformationoverextendedperiodsinordertoworkthroughcomplexity,clarifyeffectiveresponse,andthenimplementactions.TheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableprocessisonesuchefforttohelponeimportantregionreorientgovernment,privateandnonprofitactivitiestoconformwithemergingrealities.TheRoundtable’sthreemeetingsandresultingrecommendationdocumentare,wehope,merelythefirststepinanextendedperiodofcollaborationbetweentheCityandtheregionalpartners,urbanandrural,thathavedemonstratedcommitmenttocreatingavibrantfoodshedapproachtoimprovinghealth,increasingjobs,andprotectingtheenvironment.WeardentlyhopethattheCitywillformafoodpolicycouncilandthattheTaskForcerecommendationstotheMayorincludethosethatfollow.

STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL David Brubaker, Author & Consultant, Animal Agriculture, Lititz, PA James Cochran, Farmer & Founder Swanton Berry Farm, Davenport Maria Echaveste, Co-founder Nueva Vista Group, Lecturer, UC Berkeley School of Law, & Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Berkeley Gwendolyn Flynn, Policy Director Community Health Councils, Inc., Los Angeles Stephen Gliessman, Alfred E. Heller Professor of Agroecology, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Luawanna Hallstrom, COO Harry Singh & Sons, Inc. & State Board of Food & Agriculture, Oceanside Jennifer Hernandez, Co-Founder, Cultivo Consulting, Covina Edith Jessup, Program Specialist, Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP), Fresno Evan Kleiman, Owner, Caffe Angeli & Host “Good Food,” KCRW FM, Los Angeles Mark Kramer, Director External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy, CA Chapter, San Francisco Peter Liu, Founder & Vice Chairman, New Resource Bank, San Francisco Maricela Morales, City Council, Port Hueneme & Associate Director, CAUSE, Port Hueneme Craig McNamara, Farmer, Sierra Orchards, Center for Land Based Learning & State Board of Food & Agriculture, Winters Adán Ortega, Senior Advisor, GCG Rose & Kindel & State Board of Food & Agriculture, Fullerton Greg Ostroff, Private Investor and Philanthropic Consultant, Belvedere Jovita Pajarillo, Associate Director, Water Division, US EPA, Region 9, San Francisco Pietro Parravano, Fisherman & President, Institute for Fisheries Resources, Half Moon Bay Daniella Simunovic, Community Organizer, Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment, Delano George Work, Rancher, Work Ranch LLC, San Miguel Lawrence Yee, Emeritus, UC Cooperative Extension & Co-founder, Association of Family Farms, Ojai

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IrecentlyreturnedfromaweekofmeetingsinWashingtonDCwithleadersfromtheUnitedStates’departmentsofAgriculture,Treasury,HealthandHumanServicesandCongress.Basedonthesemeetings,Iamfullyconvincedthatwehaveashortwindowofopportunity.ThebudgetandgovernancedebaclespresentlyplaguingCaliforniaareonthehorizoninWashingtonDC.Itislikelythatwehaveameresixtotwelvemonthstoorganizeourselvesregionallytoleveragefederalmoneythatwillhelpfundimprovementstofoodaccessforlowincomepeopleandmarketdevelopmentforregionalfoodproducers.Moreover,theenergyandwaterfutureisveryuncertainandasweknow,cheapfossilfuelsandabundantwaterhavebeentheprimaryfactorssupportingourfoodproductionapproach.Theincreaseincostsfortransportation,storage,andagricultureitselfwillaccelerateinthenexttwodecades.Thus,thetimeisapproachingwhenthosecitiesthathavedirectlinkstofoodproducersintheirregionwillfarebetterthanthosewhodonot.Nowisthemomenttoprepareoururbancentersforthefuture,byintegratingthemtothefullestextentpossiblewiththeruralregionsfromwhichfood,waterandenergyflow.ThisrealityunderliesthecommitmentofRootsofChangetotheformationofworkingrelationsamongtheurbanandruralstakeholdersthatfeedourState’speople.OrganizingintorobustpartnershipsthatcanmobilizemultipletalentsandassetsfromtheregionandmaximizeprivateandpublicdollarswillpositionuswelltoeffectivelyusetheflowoffundsthatwillsoonbeavailablefromFirstLadyMichelleObama’sLet’sMovecampaignanditsHealthyFoodFinancingInitiative.RootsofChangeisready,willingandabletoworkwithLosAngelesanditsregionalneighborstoretoolthefoodsysteminfrastructureandreorientrelationshipsinordertoenhanceresilienceinthefaceoftheshocksthatlayahead.Ofallplaces,Californiaismostwellendowedtobuildafoodsystemappropriatetotheneedsofpeopleandtheplanetinthe21stCentury.LosAngelesasthestate’slargestmetropolitancenterinthemidstofanaturalcornucopiamustleadthewayforthestateandthenation.Sincerely,MichaelDimockPresident

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LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableParticipantsMartinAnenberg,FreshPointofSouthern

CaliforniaMudBaron,OfficeofLAUSDBoardMember

MargueritteP.LaMotteJanBerk,SanMiguelProduceLisaBrenneis,ChurchillBrenneisOrchardsNaomiButler,CountyofSanDiegoPublic

HealthServicesHollyCalhoun,SustainableEconomic

EnterprisesofLosAngelesFriedaRapoportCaplan,Frieda's,Inc.EricCárdenas,OrfaleaFoundationsMauriceCuellar,AdvocatesforHealthyLivingSandyCurwood,VenturaUnifiedSchool

DistrictGlenDake,LosAngelesCommunityGarden

CouncilPaulaDaniels,BoardofPublicWorks,Cityof

LosAngelesSusanDavison,VanTilburg,Banvard&

SoderberghAIAMayaDunne,OrangeCountyGreatPark

CorporationMableEverette,CommunityNutrition

EducationServicesGwendolynFlynn,CommunityHealth

CouncilsNatalieGluck,PolicyLinkJonathanGold,LAWeeklyHenryGonzales,VenturaCountyAgricultural

CommissionerRenéeGuilbault,WestCentralProduce&Le

PainQuotidienGlendaHumiston,U.S.Departmentof

AgricultureAGKawamura,CaliforniaSecretaryof

AgricultureCharlieKay,HeathandLejeune,Inc.GreggKettles,OfficeofMayorAntonio

VillaraigosaEvanKleiman,KCRW'sGoodFoodKristinKvesic,OrangeCountyFoodBankDavidLee,TheJewishFederationofGreater

LosAngeles

MaryLee,PolicyLinkMiaLehrer,MiaLehrer&AssociatesRickLejeune,Heath&LejeuneMarkLowry,OrangeCountyFoodBankRenéeMaas,Food&WaterWatchPhilMcGrath,McGrathFamilyFarmsMaricelaMorales,CAUSEAihaNguyen,LosAngelesAllianceforaNew

EconomyDonNishiguchi,WholeFoodsJillOverdorf,CoosemansShippingKimPasciuto,CentralCoastAgriculture

NetworkIrenePeña,ProyectoJardínStephaniePincetl,UCLAInstituteonthe

EnvironmentJimPoett,RanchoSanJulianJonathanReinbold,TierraMiguelFoundationEJRemson,TheNatureConservancyBillRoley,ThePermacultureInstituteChrisSayer,SayerRanchMelanieSchlotterbeck,FriendsofHarbors,

BeachesandParksBradSmith,IrvineValleyCollegePompeaSmith,SustainableEconomic

EnterprisesofLosAngelesScottSpear,SequoiaRiverlandsTrustRachelSurls,UCCooperativeExtensionFrankTamborello,HungerActionLAGlennTanaka,TanakaFarmsRodneyTaylor,RiversideUnifiedSchool

DistrictEdgarTerry,TerryFarmsInc.RobertTse,CaliforniaDeputySecretaryof

AgricultureCraigUnderwood,UnderwoodFamilyFarmsJaniceWaddell,USDARuralDevelopmentDavidWeinstein,HeathandLejeune,Inc.GeorgeWork,WorkRanchLarryYee,UCCooperativeExtensionVanessaZajfen,CenterforFoodandJustice,

OccidentalCollege

LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable

April2010 7

Asustainableregional

foodsystemcan

createjobs,

invigoratethelocal

economy,and

transformthe

healthand

well‐beingofthe22millionpeople

livinginthe

LosAngeles&

SouthernCalifornia

foodshed

BackgroundOnceuponatime,LosAngeleswastheleadingagriculturalcountyintheUnitedStates.Agriculturecontinuestobeavitalpartofthelandscape,cultureandeconomyofthesurroundingruralregionsofSouthernCalifornia,andtheCityitselfishometoanincrediblediversityoffood‐relatedtraditionsandcuisinesthatarecentraltothelivesofitsresidents.TheCityisalsohometoawealthofcommunityorganizationsandmovementsaimedatimprovingfoodaccess,nutritionandhealthforitsmostvulnerableandunderservedpopulations.ButLosAngelesisfacingtwomajorcrisesthathavethepotentialtoseverelyimpactthehealthandwell‐beingofthenextgenerationofAngelenosaswellasthatofcurrentresidents.First,LosAngelesisexperiencingthesameobesityanddiet‐relatedhealthcrisesastherestofthenation.InspiteoftheabundanceoffoodproducedinSouthernCalifornia,theLosAngelesfoodshedhasbothfooddeserts–neighborhoodswithouteasyoraffordableaccesstogrocerystoreswithhealthyfoodchoices–andfoodswamps–neighborhoodswithaglutoffastfoodoutletsofferingcheapbutunhealthyfoodchoices.Low‐incomecommunitiesandcommunitiesofcoloraredisproportionatelyrepresentedintheseareasandbeartheheaviestconsequencesoflimitedaccesstohealthyfood.Recentstudiesnationwidehavedemonstratedthatlow‐income,AfricanAmericanandLatinoneighborhoodsnotonlyhavesignificantlyfewersupermarketsandagreaterpredominanceofconvenience/liquorstores,butthattheproducethatissoldintheseneighborhoodsisfrequentlyoflowerqualitythanthatfoundinmoreaffluentorraciallymixedneighborhoods.Racialandeconomicinequitiesinfoodaccesshaveadirectandsignificantimpactonhealthdisparities:Latinos,AfricanAmericans,andpeoplelivinginpovertyaretwotofivetimesmorelikelythanwhitesorwealthypeopletosufferfromobesityanddiet‐relatedchronicdiseasesincludingdiabetesandheartdisease.Nationwide,forthefirsttimeinAmericanhistory,today’schildrenarelikelytohaveshorterlifespansthantheirparentsasaresultofpoordietandlackofphysicalactivity.Second,governmentsatalllevels,includingtheCityofLosAngeles,areinfinancialcrisis.Thesituationislikelytogetworse


April2010 8

WhatIsGoodFood?Theterm“goodfood”usedthroughoutthisreportreferstofoodthatis:

HealthyNutritiousfoodsthatsupportsoundbodyandmindandfreedomfromchronicailment

Affordableandaccessibletopeopleofallsocioeconomiclevels

GreenProduced,processed,distributedandrecycledlocallyinenvironmentallysustainableways

FairAllparticipantsinthefoodsupplychainreceivefaircompensationandfairtreatment

Ahealthy,equitableandsustainableregionalfoodsystemisasystemofgrowers,processors,distributors,retailers,andcooksthatproducesanddeliversgoodfoodtotheresidentsofthatregion.

overthenexttwotothreeyears,withmoreseverecutstoexistingprogramsandnofundingfornewprogramsunlesstheycomepackagedwithnewrevenuestreams.Andofcoursethefiscalcrisisingovernmentisbutasymptomofthelargereconomicdownturn,whichisforcingrecordnumbersintounemployment,intolinesatfoodbanks,andontotherollsofgovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.Outofcrisis,however,canemergeunparalleledopportunitiesforpositivechange.EnvisioningandbuildingasustainableiregionalfoodsystemforLosAngelesandSouthernCaliforniahasthepotentialtotransformthehealthandwell‐beingofthe22millionpeoplelivinghereandtosafeguardourfoodsecurityforgenerationstocome,aswellastoimmediatelycreatejobsandinvigoratethelocaleconomy.Inourfavor,thefederalgovernmentstillhasmajorfundingsetasideforfoodandnutritionservices.Californiaiscurrentlyleavingsome$2billioninpotentialfoodassistancebenefitsonthetable–dollarsthatareoneofthemosteffectiveeconomicstimulustoolsavailable.Giventoday’sfiscalrealities,regionalcollaborationandpublic‐privatepartnershipsaregoingtobeessentialtobuildingahealthy,fairandsustainableregionalfoodsystem–notjusttoensurethatallofthekeyfoodsystemplayersareatthetable,andthatthebestideasarepooledandcross‐pollinated,buttoleverageourcollectivepoliticalstrengthacrosstheregionandtostretcheveryscarcedollartoitsmaximumpotential.TheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtablehaslaidoutaplatformtobeginthiswork,andRoundtableparticipantslookforwardtoengagingleadersintheCityandthroughouttheregiontoimplementthisimportantactionagenda.AbouttheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableInSeptemberof2009,MayorAntonioVillaraigosalaunchedaFoodPolicyTaskForcechargedwithidentifyingwaysinwhichtheCityofLosAngelescouldsupporttheregionalfoodeconomyandimproveaccesstohealthyfoodinunderservedcommunities.


April2010 9

Giventoday’sfiscal

realities,

urban‐ruraland

public‐private

collaboration

willbeessentialto

buildingahealthy,fair,

andsustainableregionalfoodsystem

BuildingonthesuccessoftheSanFranciscoUrban‐RuralRoundtablecommissionedbyMayorGavinNewsomin2008,RootsofChangeworkedwithleadersoftheLosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskForcetodesignaprocessbywhichtherecommendationsofthetaskforce,comprisedalmostentirelyofurbanleaders,couldbebroadenedandinformedbytheperspectivesandinsightsoffoodsystemleadersfromaroundtheregion,includingthepeoplewhoactuallyproducefoodintheninecountiessurroundingLosAngeles.ResponsetotheinvitationtoparticipateintheUrban‐RuralRoundtablewasenthusiasticandexceededexpectations.Morethan50peoplefromasfarasMonterey,SanLuisObispoandKernCountiestothenorth,SanDiegoCountytothesouth,andRiversideandSanBernardinoCountiestotheeast,traveledtoCaliforniaStateUniversityChannelIslandsinVenturaCountyandSecondHarvestFoodBankinOrangeCountyforthreefulldaysofmeetingsinJanuaryandFebruaryof2010.Acombinationofbusinessleaders,non‐profitandcommunityleaders,andgovernmentofficialsrepresentedeveryaspectofthefoodsystemaswellaseverygeographiccorneroftheregion.Participantsincludedfarmers,ranchers,fooddistributors,foodretailersandentrepreneurs;chefsandfoodjournalists;institutionalfoodbuyersandschoolfoodadvocates;hungerandsocialjusticeactivists;publichealthleaders;architectsandplanners;environmentalists;andseniorrepresentativesoftheUSDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)andtheCaliforniaDepartmentofFoodandAgriculture(CDFA).RoundtableparticipantsunanimouslyvoicedthesharedinterestsofurbanandruralcommunitiesinSouthernCaliforniaandunderscoredtheneedandtheopportunitytoworktogethertocreateahealthierandmoresustainableregionalfoodsystem.Participantswereaskedtoidentifyandprioritizeopportunitiesforactiontoaddressfourgoals:1. BetterAccesstoFreshandHealthyFoodForAll

Helpcommunityleadersdevelopplansandimplementationstrategiestocreatethesystemicchangesnecessarytoexpandaccessandmeetthegoodfoodneedsofurbanandruralresidents,particularlymoderateandlowerincomeconsumersandcommunitiesofcolor.


April2010 10

2. RegionalAgricultureandFoodSystemEconomicProsperityExpandopportunitiesforregionalagriculturalproducers,processors,distributorsandretailerstoprofitablydevelopandaccesslocalmarketsfortheirproductsinwaysthatcreatejobsandincreasethetriplebottomlineforthemselves,theirworkersandtheircommunities.

3. RegionalAgriculturalandEnvironmentalStewardship

Ensurethaturbanandruralleaderstogetherstewardagriculturalandnaturalresourcessothatourregioncancontinuetosupplyfoodandprovidevitalecologicalservicesforgenerationstocome.

4. BuildingaRegionalFoodshedIdentityBuildaregionalfoodshedidentityandmaintaindiverselandscapesandcommunitiestoaddvaluetothefoodgrownintheregion.

EachofthesefourgoalssparkedintensivediscussionamongtheRoundtableparticipants.Anumberofclearprioritiesemergedaswellasseveralstrongcross‐cuttingthemes.TheRootsofChangecoordinatingteamsynthesizedtheoutputfromthesemeetingsintofouroverarchingrecommendations,eachwithspecificactionitems,asdescribedinthisreport.Therecommendationshighlightedinthisreportfocusparticularlyonanactionagendaforurbanleadersandpolicymakers.Buttherecommendationsarerelevantforleaders,urbanandrural,throughouttheregion,andforthebusinesses,non‐profits,andphilanthropicorganizationswhichwillbecriticaldriversandpartnersincreatingahealthy,equitableandsustainableregionalfoodsystem. iTheterm“sustainable”isusedthroughoutthisreporttoconnotesystemsandpracticesthatcanbecontinuedindefinitelyintotheforeseeablefuturewithoutrelianceuponongoingdepletionofnon‐renewableresources(e.g.,soil,energy,biologicaldiversity)orwideningsocialinequities(withinandacrosscommunities,countries,orgenerations).Withrespecttoagriculture,thetermcaninclude,butisnotlimitedtoorsynonymouswith,certifiedorganicproductionpractices.


April2010 11

Recommendation1:DevelopaComprehensiveSetofFoodSystemPoliciesfortheCityofLosAngelesTheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtablerecommendsthatMayorVillaraigosaandtheLosAngelesCityCouncildevelopandadoptacomprehensivesetofpoliciesandactionsaroundfood,nutritionandagriculturetosupportthehealthandwell‐beingofthecity’sresidents.TheCitycanundertakeseveralkeyactionsnowthatwillconnect,expandandleverageexistingeffortstoimproveresidents’accesstogoodfoodandcreateamoresustainableregionalfoodsystem.ThesepoliciescouldbepackagedasanExecutiveDirectiveoftheMayorendorsedbytheCityCouncilorbetteryet,acomprehensivefoodsystemactcraftedincollaborationbetweentheMayorandtheCouncil.Thescopeanddiversityofthissuiteofactionsunderscorethefactthatfoodis,ofcourse,anessentialandpervasivepartofurbanlife.Virtuallyalloftherecommendationsaresynergisticaswell.Theywillcreatepositivefeedbackloopssuchthattheircombinedimpactwillbegreaterthanthesumoftheindividualparts.Increasedinstitutionalandretaildemandforgoodfoodwillattractinvestmentinproductionanddistributionforlocalmarkets;expandedproductionwillcreatejobs,recirculatemoneywithinthelocaleconomy,andlowerfoodprices(oratleastholdpricedown);steadypriceswillstimulatemoredemandandsoon.Increasedconsumptionoffreshandhealthyfoodswillreducechronicdiet‐relateddiseaseandimproveresidents’healthandwell‐being,aswellasimprovetheiracademicperformanceandeconomicproductivity.Inadditiontothespecificrecommendedactionsdescribedbelow,theRoundtableurgestheCityinallinstancesto:

• Lookfirsttoretainandleverageexistingresourcesandprograms,manyofwhichareunderutilized.

• Examineandborrowfrommodelswithinandoutsideofregionforbestpracticesandlessonslearned.

• Considerhowsolutionscanaddressprevalentstructuralinequities,includingthoseofracialandeconomicinjustice.

• Developculturalcompetence.Foodisadeeplyculturalmatter;approachestofoodpolicymustbeculturallyappropriatetobeeffective.

• Movequicklyandcreativelytoseizeoncurrentfederalfundingopportunities.• Seeknon‐profit,communityandfoundationpartnerstosupportinitiativesandpilot

projects.


April2010 12

Recommendedactionsinclude:EconomicDevelopment

Goal:Createregionalfoodsystemjobsandincreasetheeconomicstabilityofresidents. Advocateandsupportdevelopmentofanetworkofregionalfoodhubs,utilizingexisting

infrastructureasmuchaspossible,tocreateefficient,accessibleinfrastructureandsupplychainforregionalfoods,withinformationsystemstolinkgrowers,distributorsandmarketsandfacilitateforwardsupplycontractsthatlockinsupplyforbuyersandmarketsforgrowers.

WritealettertotheCaliforniacongressionaldelegationaskingmemberstosupportincreasedfundingforFarmBillprogramsthatsupportlocalandregionalfoodproduction,processinganddistribution,includingtheLocalandRegionalFoodEnterpriseLoanProgram,theValue‐AddedProducerGrantProgram,BeginningandSociallyDisadvantagedFarmerandRancherDevelopmentprograms,CommunityFoodProjectsprogram,EnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram,FarmandForeignAgricultureServicescreditprograms,andOrganicandSustainableAgricultureResearchandExtensionprograms.

Initiateajointletterwithmayorsfromacrossthenationcallingonthefederalgovernmenttoincreasesupportforlocalandregionalfoodproduction,processinganddistributionprogramssuchasthoselistedabove.

CollaboratewithurbanandruralNGOpartnerstoaccessandleveragefederalfundingthroughtheFarmBillfordevelopmentoflocalandregionalfoodproduction,processing,anddistributioninfrastructure.

CreatelocalfoodhubsinLosAngelesfooddesertsthatprovidefooddistributionandprocessinginfrastructureforlocal,smallandmid‐sizedfarmsandemploymentopportunitiesfortheresidentsofthosecommunities.

PromoteTransitionalSubsidizedEmploymentProgramtofood‐relatedbusinesses. Writeanopenlettertouniversities,communitycollegesandvocationalschoolsinthe

Cityandregionurgingthemtoretainandexpandtraininginfoodandagriculture‐relatedfields,toincorporatelocalsourcingandsustainabilityintotheircurriculaandcampusoperations,andtoconnectwithandsupportlocalfarmingandfoodbusinessincubators.

2. HungerandFoodSecurity

Goal:Makegoodfoodtheeasychoiceforallresidents.Eliminatefooddesertsandimproveneighborhoodfoodenvironmentsinunderservedcommunitiesandcommunitiesofcolor Legalizeandpermitmobilevendorswithincentivesforincreasingregional,freshand

healthyfoodsourcing. Incorporatetaxincentivesandzoningrelaxationswhereapplicabletopromotelocally

ownedbusinesses,includingcoopsandmobilevendors,andregionalfoodsourcing,into


April2010 13

programstoattractfoodretailingtounderservedcommunitiesandcommunitiesofcolor.

Collaboratewitheconomicdevelopmentandnutrition‐relatedNGOpartnersthatwillworkwiththecitytofundtheaforementionedandotherprogramsthroughtheUSDA‐USTreasuryDepartment’sFreshFoodFinancingInitiative.

AsktheCaliforniacongressionaldelegationtosupportFarmBillprogramsthattargetunderservedcommunitiesandcommunitiesofcolor,includingtheLocalandRegionalFoodEnterpriseLoanProgram,whichgivesprioritytoprojectsthatbenefitcommunitieswithlimitedfoodaccessandhighratesoffoodinsecurity,andtheSociallyDisadvantagedFarmerandRancherloanprograms,whichhelpwomenandminorityproducersdevelopviablefarmingoperations.

Improveschoolandinstitutionalfoodenvironments DevelopandadoptCityfoodprocurementordinanceincorporatingpreferencefor

regionallysourcedandsustainablyproducedfoods. Establishlocalsourcingandnutritionguidelines/criteriaforcitycontractors,vending

machines,leaseagreements,mobilepermits,andeventsandmeetingsheldonCityproperty.

AdvocateandsupportLAUSDandotherschooldistricts’policiesandinitiativestoincreaseregionalfoodsourcingforschoolmealsandsnacks,increasefederalfundingforlocalandfreshfoodpurchases,andexpandschools’capacitytoprovidefreshfoodthroughaccesstoon‐siteandoff‐siteinfrastructure(kitchens,refrigeration,trucks,etc.)andstafftraining.

WritelettertosouthernCalifornia’sCongressionaldelegationaskingthemtosupportenhancementstotheChildNutritionActcurrentlybeingconsideredforreauthorization(e.g.SenatorLeahy’sCultivatingFarmstoSchoolActorRep.Holt’sFarmtoSchoolImprovementsAct).

Initiateajointletterwithbig‐citymayorsfromacrossthenationcallingforenhancementstotheChildNutritionAct.

Advocateandsupportuseoffreshandlocalfoodsinhospitalsandotherhealthcareandinstitutionalsettings.

Increaseaffordabilityofgoodfood Provideincentivesandrewards(e.g.,reducedCityfees)forfarmersmarketsiithataccept

andpromotetheSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)andtheSpecialSupplementalNutritionProgramforWomen,InfantsandChildren(WIC).

PromotetheuseofexistingandnewresourcestoimplementSNAPatfarmersmarketswithinCityboundaries.

ExpandbonusdollarsandotherincentivesandoutreachtoincreaseusageofSNAP,theWICandSeniorFarmers’MarketNutritionPrograms(FMNP),thenewWICFruitandVegetableCheckprogram(FVC)andotherbenefitsatfarmersmarkets.

DirectCitystaffandagenciestoworkwithcommunityactivists,promotoras,andothernutritioneducationprogramstocommunicatehealthandnutritioninformationandincreaseutilizationoffoodassistanceprograms.


April2010 14

Emergencyfoodassistance PromoteandassistFarmtoFamilyandgleaningprogramsbyparticipatinginagleaning

dayinthecountrysideoratanurbangardenorfarm. UrgetheLosAngelesCountyBoardofSupervisorstoadoptafoodwaste/surplus

ordinance.

3. UrbanandLandUsePlanningforFoodandAgricultureGoal:Supportlocalandsustainablefoodproduction,processing,distribution,consumptionandrecyclingthroughplanning,zoning,EIRandpermittingprocesses. DirectCityplannerstointegratefoodproduction,processinganddistributionintoCity

andregionalplanningprocesses. Conductcomprehensivereviewofzoning,permitting,environmentalhealth,foodsafety

andotherregulationstoreduceorremovebarrierstoestablishmentoffarmersmarkets,CSAs,communitygardens,urbanmicro‐farms,andverticalfarms.

SupporttheFood&FlowersFreedomActtoallowthegrowingandsellingoffoodandfiberfromRzonedareasintheCity.

SupportrobustSustainableCommunityStrategiesprocessandadvocateintegrationoffoodandagricultureissuestomeetgoalsofAB32andSB375.

Supportpoliciesandprogramsaimedatwaterconservation,runoffcaptureandreuse.4. UrbanAgriculture

Goal:IncreasedirectpublicengagementinfoodproductionandidentificationwiththeLAregionalfoodsystem. Inventoryandmakeavailablepotentialsitesforurbanagriculture,includingdual‐use

areas(e.g.,utilityeasements)andbrownfieldsiteswhereapplicable. Streamlinetheleasingofmunicipalpropertyprocesstoexpeditecommunitygroups’

effortstosecurelandforfoodproduction. Developandsupportordinances,programs,andfundingtopromotecommunity

gardens,victorygardens,urbanmicro‐farms,andforaginggroundsforfruit,vegetable,andsmallanimalproductionandforteachingpeoplehowtoproducefoodinurbansettings.

5. EnvironmentalandAgriculturalStewardship

Goal:Encouragegrowers,processors,distributorsandretailersintheregiontouseenvironmentallysustainablepractices. Provideincentivesforbusinessestoadoptsustainablepracticesbyincorporating

environmentalstewardshipandfairlaborstandardsforfarmandfoodworkersintoCityfoodpurchasingcriteria,utilizinganexistingthird‐partycertificationsystemforsustainablefoodproductionpractices.

Directcitystaffandagenciestocoordinateresponsetoinvasivespecies(e.g.,Asiancitruspsyllid)withstakeholdersthroughouttheregion.


April2010 15

Createincentivestoassistsmall‐scalefarmslocatedwithinthecitytoconverttoorganicandsustainablefarmingmethods.

WritealettertothestateofficeoftheNaturalResourcesConservationServiceinsupportofconservationfundingforfarmersandranchersengagedinlong‐term,cost‐effectiveenvironmentalmanagementactivities,includingbutnotlimitedtoorganictransition,theinstallationofvegetatedbuffers,covercropping,integratedpestmanagement,andwildlifehabitatmanagement.

Urgeleadersaroundtheregiontosupportincentivesandpoliciestopromoteorganicandsustainablefarming,preservationofexistingfarmlandandopenspace,soilconservation,andstewardshipofagriculturallands.

6. FoodandFoodSystemLiteracy

Goal:Increasepublicawarenessandunderstandingoffoodandfoodsystemissuesandempowerresidentstomakehealthyfoodchoices.

SupportbroadeneduseofexistingUSDAfoodassistanceoutreachandadministrative

fundsfornutritionandhealtheducation,includingexpansionofschoolgardeningandcookingprograms.

Supportintegrationofskills‐basedfoodproduction,preparation,andnutritioneducationintoschoolcurriculumandstandardizedtests.

Urgenon‐profitandextracurricularprogramstoincorporatefoodandregionalfoodsystemliteracyintotheirprograms(Boys&GirlsClubs,4H,FutureFarmersofAmerica,outdoorscienceandfarmcamps).

Supportfoodandnutritioneducationforparentsandadultsviacommunitycollegesandnon‐profitprograms.

Identifyandpursueopportunitiestoleverageunderutilizedresourcestoimprovefoodaccessinlowincomecommunities(e.g.,makingschoolfacilitiesavailableforafterschoolfoodandnutritionprograms,fooddistribution,andsales.)

Writethehealthcareandphilanthropiccommunitytorequestthattheyincreasefundingforeducationandmediacampaignstoincreasefoodliteracy.

iiTheRoundtabledidnotdeliberateorreachconsensusonthequestionofwhetherpoliciesrelatedtofarmersmarketsshouldapplytoanyfarmersmarketsoronlytothosethatarecertifiedbytheStateofCalifornia.


April2010 16

Recommendation2:Injectfoodandagricultureintothepublicconversation.TheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtablerecommendsthatMayorVillaraigosausethebullypulpittointegratefoodandagricultureintoeverypublicconversationabouthealth,theeconomy,theenvironment,andsocialjustice.LosAngelesispoisedtojointheranksofseveralmajorcitiesaroundthecountryinplacingfoodsystemissuesatthefrontandcenterofpublicpolicydialogintheircommunities.Mayorsineachofthesecitieshavesteppedforwardtodevelophealthyandsustainablefoodpoliciesfortheircities.Eachhasstrengths,andsomearemorecomprehensivethanothers.Allareincreasinglyfocusedonfoodsystems,healthyfoodaccessandnutritionenhancement.Thereisanopportunitytocombinethevoicesofbigcitymayorsandtransformthenationaldebateonfoodsystemreform.Alliesinclude:

• NewYork–MayorMichaelBloomberg• SanFrancisco–MayorGavinNewsom• Oakland–MayorRonDellums• Seattle–MayorMikeMcGinn• Chicago–MayorRichardDaley• Boston–MayorThomasMenino• Denver–MayorJohnHickenlooper

AstheMayorofCalifornia’slargestandmostwellknowncity,MayorVillaraigosaisuniquelypositionedtohavemajorimpactonthehealth,nutritionandruralcommunitiesbysteppingupandspeakingtotheneedforurban‐ruralcollaboration.HisvoicewillbeechoedbyothermayorsinCalifornia,particularlybyMayorNewsomwhohasdevelopedthemostcomprehensivepolicyyetseenthroughhisJuly2009ExecutiveDirective09‐03HealthyandSustainableFoodForSanFrancisco.MayorVillaraigosa’scommitmenttoprovidingequitableaccesstohealthyfoodandsupportoffarmersmarketsandurbanagricultureprovideaplatformforhimtobecomeanationalleaderonfoodissues.Ifhecallsforarobustregionalagriculture,directcitylinkstofarmersandranchers,betternationalfarmpolicy,improvedconditionsforfarmworkersandmoreaccesstohealthyfoodforlow‐incomepeople,hewillbeheard.Ifhiscallsarebackedupwithsimpleandconcreteactionthroughordinancesandpoliciesthatimprovehealthyfoodaccessincommunitiesandschoolsaswellasregionalfarmeconomics,hewillbeemulated.Specificrecommendedactionsinclude:

Integratefood,nutritionandagricultureintospeechesaboutjobs,economy,health,environment,educationandsocialjustice.

Participateinnational,stateandregionalpublicforumsonfoodandagriculture.


April2010 17

Directcitystaffandagenciestointegratefoodandagricultureissuesintoexistingcampaigns,programs,websites,andsocialmediaonhealth,jobs,education,climatechange,sustainability,etc.

ConsiderestablishingpermanentvictorygardensatCityHallandtheMayor’sresidence. LaunchareversetrademissionincollaborationwithCDFAtotakeurbanand

institutionalfoodbuyerstooutlyingcountiestomeetwithgrowers. LaunchannualeventwithamediacampaigntocelebratetheCity’sandregion’sgood

foodandrecognizegoodfoodleadersandaccomplishments,andurgeexistingculinaryevents(e.g.,DineLA,TasteofLA)toincorporatelocalandsustainableproductsandinformationintotheirprograms.

Convenemeetingofseniorexecutivesofkeyretailers,distributors,hotelandrestaurantchains,largepurchasinggroups,andtradeassociationstobuildsupportandvisibilityforregionalfoodsourcingandthegoodfoodmovement.

Callonthefederalgovernmenttostepupandsupportpoliciesandprogramsthatbuildlocalandregionalfoodsystemsandfarm‐to‐consumerlinkagesthroughsubstantial,dedicatedfundingforFarmBill,ChildNutritionActandotherrelevantprograms.


April2010 18

Recommendation3:AlignandleveragethepoliticalstrengthoftheCityandregiontosupportkeyfederal,stateandregionalfoodandagriculturalpolicies.TheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtablerecommendsthatMayorVillaraigosaandtheCityofLosAngelestaketheleadincoordinatingmayors,citycouncilmembers,andcountysupervisorsthroughouttheregiontoaligntheirlobbyingeffortsaroundfoodandagriculturalpolicytosupportthehealthandwell‐beingofresidentsintheregion.LeadersintheLosAngelesfoodshedcollectivelyrepresentmorethan22millionpeople.Somestateandfederalfundingisalreadyavailableforprogramsthatpromotethedevelopmentoflocalandregionalfoodsystems;however,theseprogramsarenotaswidelyutilizedastheycouldbe,andtotalfundingremainsfarfromadequate.WiththeCityofLosAngelesleadingtheway,regionalpolicymakerscaneducateCaliforniaproducers,businessesandNGOsaboutavailableprogramsandcanmakeastrongcasetostateandfederalpolicymakersabouttheneedforincreasedfunding.Theseactivitieswillhaveasignificantimpactonstateandfederalpoliciesthatwillhelpcreateasustainableregionalfoodsystemandimprovepeople’slives.Inmanycasescoalitionsarealreadyinplacetoorganizesupportforcriticalfoodandagriculturalpolicies.LosAngeleswillnothavetobreaknewgroundbutrathercanaddamajornewpoliticalvoicetocurrentlobbyingeffortsviasuchentitiesastheConferenceofMayorsandtheCaliforniaDepartmentofFoodandAgriculture.Specificpolicies,programsandinitiativesthaturbanandruralleadersshouldfocustheirunitedlobbyingeffortsoninclude:

ExtensionoftheTransitionalSubsidizedEmploymentProgram(TSE)tocreateandretainjobs.

Linkageandalignmentoffoodassistanceprograms(SNAP,WIC,schoollunch,eldernutrition)toimproveefficiencyandincreaseaccesstobenefitsbyresidents;removalofrestrictionsonpopulationsthatcanaccessbenefits.

RevisionoftheChildNutritionActtoallowandencouragelocalsourcingoffood,increasereimbursementsforfreshandlocalfoods,andincreasefundingforinfrastructuretofacilitatepreparationanddistributionofhealthy,freshschoolmealsandsnacks.

ExpansionandstrengtheningofagriculturalstewardshipandfarmlandconservationprogramsandincentivesintheFarmBill.

ExpansionofFarmBillprogramsthatsupportlocalandregionalfoodproduction,processinganddistribution,including: LocalandRegionalFoodEnterpriseLoanProgram,tosupportandestablishnew

businessesthatprocess,distributeandmarketfoodsproducedin‐stateortransportedlessthan400milesfromtheoriginoftheproduct.


April2010 19

Value‐AddedProducerGrantProgramtoprovidegrantstoproducerstodevelopbusinessplans,establishmarketingopportunities,andacquirecapitalforprocessing,marketing,communitykitchens,andestablishingfarmer‐consumernetworks.

CreditprogramsthroughUSDA’sFarmandForeignAgricultureServicesdivisiontofundprojectsthatbanksmayfindtoorisky,includingstart‐upfoodbusinessesandnewfarmingoperations.

OrganicandSustainableAgricultureResearchandExtensionprograms. BeginningandSociallyDisadvantagedFarmerandRancherloanprograms. CommunityFoodProjectsprogram. Organictransitionandothersustainablemanagementassistancethroughthe

EnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram. Developmentofastatewidesystemforidentifyingregionalandmicro‐regionalfood

origins,analogoustotheAmericanViticulturalAssociation’sappellationsystemforwine‐growingregions,thatwillenableconsumerstoidentify,chooseandvalueproductsgrowninspecificplaces.

Sodauserfeetodiscouragesodaconsumptionandgeneratefundsforimprovingaccesstogoodfoodinunderservedcommunities.

Foodsafetyregulationsthatcanbemetbygrowersanddistributorsofallsizes,andprogramsandfundingthatsupportthecapacityofallgrowersanddistributorstomeetthosestandards.

FullfundingandstrengtheningoftheWilliamsonActtosupportconservationofagriculturallands.


April2010 20

Recommendation4:Createaregionalfoodpolicycouncil.TheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtablerecommendsthatMayorVillaraigosaandtheCityofLosAngelestaketheleadinestablishingaregionalalliancetodrivedevelopmentandimplementationofasustainableregionalfoodsystemstrategy.TheCityofLosAngeleshasanenormousstakeincreatingasustainableregionalfoodsystemthatmeetstheneedsofitsresidentsandsupportsthelocaleconomy.Butbuildingasustainableregionalfoodsystemwillrequirethefullparticipationandsupportofstakeholdersfromallovertheregion,wholikewisedemandaccesstogoodfoodandwhoseeconomiesareinextricablytiedtothatofLosAngeles.Buildingtrustandmeaningfuldialogbetweenruralproducersandurbanconsumerswillbevitaltoensuringafoodsupplythatisresilient,secure,healthy,affordable,greenandfair.Aregionalalliancewilldeepentherelationshipsandbroadenthecoalition‐buildingthathavealreadybeeninitiatedbygroupsliketheSouthernCaliforniaGoodFoodNetwork,HungerActionL.A.,theAgFuturesAlliance,andtheLosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskForce.TheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableitselfhasdemonstratedtheintersectionofurbanandruralinterestsinthefoodsystem,thewillingnessofpeopleintheregiontoconnectacrossconsiderabledistances,andthevalueofbringingdiversestakeholderstogethertoshareideasandidentifyopportunitiesforcollaboration.Thereareanumberofgroupsinotherregionsthathavesuccessfullybridgedtheurban‐ruralgapthatshouldalsobeinvestigatedasmodelsforthisundertaking.LeadershipbytheCityofLosAngeleswillgalvanizeparticipation,buttheownership,fundingandstaffingofthealliancecanandshouldbesharedacrosstheregiontoensurebuy‐inandcommitment,spreadtheworkload,andreflectthesharedinterestofallpartiesinthefutureoftheregion.Theregionalallianceshouldbechargedwithactionsthatinclude:

ConductaLosAngelesfoodshedassessmentincollaborationwithpublichealthdepartmentstoinventoryfoodsystemassets,identifykeyindicatorsoffoodsystemhealthandsustainability,andestablishabaselineformeasuringimpactofactions.

Establishgoals,strategyandactionplanforcreatingasustainableregionalfoodsystemthatisintegratedintocityandregionalplans.

Identify,recruitandsupportchampionsforkeyactions. Identify,communicate,andadvocateregionwideadoptionofmodelpoliciesfor

incorporatingfoodagricultureintourbanplanning. Advisecitiesandcountiesonfood‐relatedpolicies. Spearheadandcoordinateregionwidestateandfederallobbyingefforts.


April2010 21

LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableCoordinatingTeam

RootsofChangeKarenSchmidt,ProjectCoordinatorMichaelDimockJillFioravantiTiffanyNurrenbernLosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskForcePaulaDanielsAlexaDelwicheLarryYee

April2010 22

AppendixA:SnapshotoftheLosAngelesFoodshed

Snapshot of the Snapshot of the Los Angeles/Southern Los Angeles/Southern California California FoodshedFoodshedLos Angeles UrbanLos Angeles Urban--Rural Rural

RoundtableRoundtableJanuary 27, 2010January 27, 2010

What is a What is a foodshedfoodshed?? A A foodshedfoodshed is the area of land and sea is the area of land and sea

within a region from which food is within a region from which food is produced in order to deliver nutrition to a produced in order to deliver nutrition to a population base.population base.–– A local or regionalA local or regional food systemfood system includes all includes all

the inputs, outputs and processes involved in the inputs, outputs and processes involved in feeding the population within a feeding the population within a foodshedfoodshed

The The foodshedfoodshed concept does not obviate concept does not obviate the goal or need to export or import food the goal or need to export or import food outside of a region.outside of a region.

Appendix A 23

Southern California Southern California Food ExpendituresFood Expenditures

$ 6,012 $ 57,843 22.4 Total$ 44 $ 423 0.2 Imperial$ 71 $ 684 0.3 San Luis Obispo$ 109 $ 1,046 0.4 Santa Barbara$ 214 $ 2,058 0.8 Ventura$ 215 $ 2,065 0.8 Kern$ 540 $ 5,199 2.0 San Bernardino$ 563 $ 5,419 2.1 Riverside$ 805 $ 7,742 3.0 San Diego$ 807 $ 7,767 3.0 Orange$ 2,644 $ 25,441 9.9 Los Angeles

Fruits andVegetables($ millions)

Total FoodSpending

($ millions)Population

(millions)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008, U. S. Census Bureau

Appendix A 24

Southern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaAgricultural Production (2007)Agricultural Production (2007)

Ker

n

Vent

ura

San

Die

go

Impe

rial

Riv

ersi

de

Sant

a B

arba

ra

San

Luis

Obi

spo

San

Ber

nard

ino

Ora

nge

Los

Ang

eles

0500

1,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,500

Mill

ions

of D

olla

rs

Total Crop Value = $12.6 Billion

Source: County Agricultural Commission Crop Reports

Southern California Southern California Agricultural Production (2007)Agricultural Production (2007)

Frui

ts a

nd N

uts

Vege

tabl

es

Nur

sery

& F

low

er

Live

stoc

k

Fiel

d C

rops

Api

ary

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

Mill

ions

of D

olla

rs

Total Fresh Produce= $6.7 Billion


Appendix A 25

Southern California Land in Farms Southern California Land in Farms by Crop Typeby Crop Type

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

Mill

ions

of a

cres

San B

ernard

inoKern

Santa

Barbara

Impe

rial

San D

iego

Riversi

deVen

tura

San Luis

Obispo

Los Angele

sOran

ge

Field Crops Fruits and Nuts Nursery / Flowers Vegetables


Total crop land = 4.1 million acres

Southern California FarmlandSouthern California Farmland2002 2002 –– 20072007

7.3 6.61.9 1.8

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

Mill

ions

of A

cres

Land in Farms Irrigated Land

20022007

Over 700,000 acres (10%) converted

between 2002 and 2007

Source: USDA Census of Agriculture 2007

Appendix A 26

Source: USDA

Appendix A 27

Appendix A 28

29

AppendixB:PreliminaryOpportunityMatrix

ThefollowingtablesrepresentapreliminarysynthesisofideasfromtheRoundtableandothersourceswhichservedasinputforRoundtableparticipants’deliberationandprioritizationoftheirfinalrecommendations.

AppendixB 30

LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableOpportunityMatrix

February2010

IntroductionThefollowingpagesrepresentasynthesisofpreliminaryideasonopportunitiestoaddresskeychallengestocreatingamoreequitable,sustainable,andeconomicallyrobustfoodsystemforLosAngelesandthesurroundingurbanandruralregion.Theyareorganized(asaretheRoundtableworkinggroups)aroundfourkeygoals:LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableGoalsWorkingGroup GoalRegionalAgricultureandFoodSystemEconomicProsperity(“Supply”)

Expandopportunitiesforregionalagriculturalproducers,processors,distributorsandretailerstodevelopandaccesslocalmarketsfortheirproductsinwaysthatcreatejobsandincreasethetriplebottomlineforthemselves,theirworkersandtheircommunities.

BetterAccesstoFreshandHealthyFoodForAll(“Demand”)

Helpcommunityleadersdevelopplansandimplementationstrategiestocreatethesystemicchangesnecessarytoexpandaccessandmeetthegoodfoodneedsofurbanandruralresidents,particularlymoderateandlowerincomeconsumersandcommunitiesofcolor.

RegionalAgriculturalandEnvironmentalStewardship

Ensurethaturbanandruralleaderstogetherstewardagriculturalandnaturalresourcesinfoodproductioninaneconomicallyfeasiblemannerforallinthefoodchain.

BuildingaRegionalFoodshedIdentity

Buildaregionalfoodshedidentityandmaintaindiverselandscapesandcommunitiesthatcandistinguishandaddvaluetothefoodgrownintheregion.

TheopportunitiessummarizedbelowhavebeengleanedprimarilyfromtheinitialmeetingoftheLosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtableonJanuary27,2010(highlightedinyellowinthetablesbelow),buthavebeensupplementedwithideasfromthedeliberationsoftheLosAngelesFoodPolicyTaskForcebetweenDecember2009andFebruary2010;fromtheresultsoftheSanFranciscoUrban‐RuralRoundtablein2009;andfromtheworknumerousotherparticipantsinthelocalandnational“GoodFood,”sustainablefoodsystem,andsustainableagriculturemovements.TheyareintendedtoserveasastartingpointtofacilitatediscussionwithintheLAURRTworkinggroupsaimedatidentifyingkeyprioritiesforactionbypolicymakers,businesses,non‐profits,andothercommunitystakeholdersintheLosAngelesregionalfoodshed.

AppendixB 31

The“Timing”columnisintendedtoindicatethetimeframeoverwhicheachinitiativecouldpotentiallybelaunched.The“CityDrives”and“CitySupports”columnsindicatewhethertheCityofLosAngelesandotherurbanleadersareexpectedtobetheleaders/driversofaninitiative,ortoplayasupportingroleinpartnershipwithbusinesses,non‐profits,and/orruralleaders.The“Models,Resources&Comments”columnoffersadditionaldetailfromworkinggroupdeliberationsandsomemodelsorbestpracticesfromwithinandoutsidetheregion.Thereferencesarebynomeansexhaustive,butagainareintendedasastartingpointandfoodforthoughtastheworkinggroupsdeveloptheirrecommendations.ItisexpectedthatRoundtableparticipantswillhavemanymoresuggestionstoaddhereandtoforwardtoMayorVillaraigosa’sFoodPolicyTaskForce.


AppendixB 32

RegionalAgricultureandFoodSystemEconomicProsperityGoal: Expandopportunitiesforregionalagriculturalproducers,processors,distributorsand

retailerstodevelopandaccesslocalmarketsfortheirproductsinwaysthatcreatejobsandincreasethetriplebottomlineforthemselves,theirworkersandtheircommunities.

Analysis

1. Marketopportunity.SouthernCaliforniansspendanestimated$58billiononfoodeveryyear,including$6billiononfruitsandvegetables.Itisunknownhowmuchofthismarketisservedbyproducerswithintheregion,butnationalstatisticssuggestthatitislikelytobeasmallfraction–lessthan5%–ofthetotalmarket,inspiteoftheabundanceoffoodgrownwithintheregionbythe$12.6billionSouthernCaliforniaagriculturalsector.Withinterestinlocallygrownfoods,foodsecurity,andfoodsafetyhighandgrowing,thereislikelytobesignificantopportunityforproducersintheregion,alongwithregionalfoodprocessors,distributors,andretailers,toexpandtheirmarketsharewithintheregion.

2. Triplebottomline.Investinginasustainableregionalfoodsystemcancreatejobs,

improvethelivesoffarmandfoodsystemworkers,supporteconomicdevelopmentinlow‐incomeurbanandruralcommunities,conservenaturalresources,andimprovepublichealth.

3. Profitability.Likeanyotherbusiness,foodproducersneedtocovertheircostsand

makeareasonablereturnoninvestmentinordertostayinbusiness.ForproductstostayinSouthernCalifornia,servingthosemarketsmustbeasprofitableassellingtheproductselsewhere(orofusingagriculturallandforotherpurposes,includingnon‐foodcrops).Ifthecostofservingmarketswithintheregionishigher,themarketpriceforthoseproductswillbehigheraswell.

4. Barrierstoaccessingandservingregionalmarkets.Asfoodproductionanddistribution

hasbecomeincreasinglyglobalized,centralized,andconcentratedoverthelast30years,SouthernCalifornia,likemostplacesintheUnitedStates,haslostmuchoftheinfrastructureneededtomovefoodefficientlyfromlocalfarmstolocalmarkets,includinganetworkoflocalandregionalfoodaggregationanddistributioncentersthatcaneconomicallyservesmalltomid‐sizedproducersandbuyers.Otherimportantbarriersincludealackofinformationsystemstocommunicatereal‐timemarketinformationbetweengrowers,distributorsandmarkets;thecostofmeetingnewfoodsafetyrequirements,especiallyforsmallproducers;retailers’centralizedbuyingpracticesandlackofexperienceorrelationshipswithregionalproducersanddistributors;andbuyers’lackofunderstandingorwillingnesstopayhigherpricesforhigher‐valueregionallyproducedfoods.


AppendixB 33

RegionalAgricultureandFoodSystemEconomicProsperityGoal:Expandopportunitiesforregionalagriculturalproducers,processors,distributorsandretailerstodevelopandaccesslocalmarketsfortheirproductsin

waysthatcreatejobsandincreasethetriplebottomlineforthemselves,theirworkersandtheircommunities.

Strategies Actions TimingCity

DrivesCity

SupportsModels,Resources&Comments

A. Design,buildandinvestinanetworkofregionalfoodaggregationhubstocreateefficientandaccessiblesupplychainforregionalfoodsthatreducestheinfrastructureandtransactioncostsofbuyingfromsmallandregionalgrowersandincreasesdiversityandconsistencyofsupply

3‐18months

X X

• Hubsmayincorporatelightprocessing,retailmarkets,communitykitchens,relatedservices

• Infrastructureshouldincludesophisticatedinformationsystemstolinkgrowers,distributors,andmarketsinrealtime

• Developforwardsupplycontractstolockinsupplyforbuyersandmarketforgrowers(akindofcommercial‐scaleCSA)

B. Identifyandworkwithkeyretailers,fastfoodchains,andtradeassociationstobuildseniormanagementleadership,support,andvisibilityforregionalsourcing

3‐6months

X X

CenterforFoodandJusticePolicyLinkFreshProduceandFloralCouncil:www.fpfc.org

A. Establishcitypolicyonregionalfoodsourcingbygovernmentinstitutionsandpartners

3‐6months

X SFFood:www.sfgov.org

1. Increasepurchaseofregionalfoodsbyretailers,fastfoodchains,andinstitutions,particularlyinunderservedcommunities

B. LaunchCDFA‐sponsoredtrademissiontoLAtopromoteregionalproducerstocitybuyers

12‐18months

XCDFA:www.cdfa.ca.gov

C. Supportsafetyregulationsthatdonotplacesmallgrowersatadisadvantage

3‐6months

X 2. Ensurethatgrowersofall

sizesareabletomeetfoodsafetystandards D. Supportfundingtoenablesmallgrowers

togetcertification3‐6

monthsX

A. Investinfarmlandacquisitiontosecurededicatedfoodsupplyandprovidelandbaseforstart‐upfarmers

3‐5years

X

B. Investintrainingforfarmworkersandothersseekingtoestablishfarmingandfoodbusinesses

3‐5years

X

ALBA:www.albafarmers.orgSAGE:www.sagecenter.orgFarmlink:www.californiafarmlink.orgSanDiegoCountyPlanningforAgriculture:www.sdcounty.ca.gov

3. Increasethenumberoffarmersandfoodentrepreneurswhoproducesustainable,regionally‐grownfood

C. Investinfoodbusinessincubators 6‐12months

X


AppendixB 34

BetterAccesstoFreshandHealthyFoodForAllGoal:Helpcommunityleadersdevelopplansandimplementationstrategiestocreatethe

systemicchangesnecessarytoexpandaccessandmeetthegoodfoodneedsofurbanandruralresidents,particularlymoderateandlowerincomeconsumersandcommunitiesofcolor.

Analysis

1. Fooddeserts,foodswamps,andpublichealth.InspiteoftheabundanceoffoodproducedinSouthernCalifornia,theLosAngelesfoodshedhasbothfooddeserts–neighborhoodswithouteasyoraffordableaccesstogroceriesstoreswithhealthyfoodchoices–andfoodswamps–neighborhoodswithaglutoffastfoodoutletsofferingcheapbutunhealthyfoodchoices.Low‐incomecommunitiesandcommunitiesofcoloraredisproportionatelyrepresentedintheseareas,bothurbanandrural,andaredisproportionatelyimpactedbydiet‐relatedchronicdiseasesincludingdiabetesandheartdisease.

2. Makegoodfoodtheeasychoice.Choosingandeatingfresh,healthyfoodsshouldbe

easier–moreconvenient,moreaffordable,moreappealing–thanchoosingunhealthyfoods.Makinggoodfoodtheeasychoicerequiressystemicchangesinhowandwherefoodsaresuppliedandmarketedinbothretailandinstitutionalsettings.Itrequireseducation,training,andashiftinperspectiveandfocusatmultiplelevels,frompolicymakers,plannersandregulatorstopublichealthofficials,publicbenefitsadministrators,andeconomicdevelopmentagencies,toschoolboards,administratorsandnutritionservicesworkers,toretailers,marketersandfinancialinstitutions.

3. Unhealthyfoodisnotaffordable.Makinggoodfoodmoreaccessiblemayincrease

foodcostsintheshorttermandrequiresubsidizationtoensureaccesstothosewhoneeditmost.However,inthelongrunasustainableandhealthyregionalfoodsystemwilllowerhealthcareandenvironmentalcostsandincreasethewell‐beingandproductivityofAngelenos.Conversely,subsidizingthecontinuedexistenceofasystemthatpromotesunhealthyandhighlyprocessedfoodshasenormoussocial,environmental,andhealthcoststhatareneitheraffordablenorsustainable.


AppendixB 35

BetterAccesstoFreshandHealthyFoodForAllGoal:Helpcommunityleadersdevelopplansandimplementationstrategiestocreatethesystemicchangesnecessarytoexpandaccessandmeetthegood

foodneedsofurbanandruralresidents,particularlymoderateandlowerincomeconsumersandcommunitiesofcolor.


DrivesCity


A. DevelopandimplementGoodFoodpurchasingpoliciesandcriteriaforRFPs,vendors,includingidentificationoffoodorigin

3‐6months

X X

B. WorkwithLAUSDandotherschooldistrictstoincreaseregionalandsustainableschoolfoodsourcingforbreakfast,lunchandsnack

6‐12months

X

1. Improveschoolandinstitutionalfoodenvironments

C. Incorporatesaladbarswithfoodoriginlabelinginschoolcafeterias

6‐12months

X

• Setsexample,lowerscostsbyincreasingdemand

• CFJ,“TransformationoftheSchoolFoodEnvironmentinLosAngeles”:http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/publications/transformation_of_school_food_environment.pdf

A. Supportregulationsandincentivestoattractgrocerystorestounderservedareasandrestrictconveniencestoreswithouthealthyfoodcomponent

6‐12months

X

B. Enforceexistingregulationsnearschoolsduringschoolhours

3‐6months

X X

C. Expandsocialmarketingcampaignstolessentheimpactoffoodindustryadvertising

3‐6months

X

2. Improveneighborhoodfoodenvironmentsinunderservedcommunitiesandcommunitiesofcolor

D. Supportgoodfood‐orientedtransit 1‐3years

X

• Public/privatefinancingpartnerships• Financingandtechnicalassistanceforrefrigerationcapacity

• Expedite/streamlinepermittingprocessforgrocerystores,waivecertainfees,relaxparkingrequirements

• CRA/LAFoodRetailersIncentiveProgram:www.crala.org

• Newbuslinesalongfoodroutes,goodfoodretailneartransit

A. RequirefullEBTparticipationatFarmersMarketsandexpandincentiveandoutreachtoeligibleparticipants

3‐6months

X X3. Increaseaffordabilityofgoodfood

B. Adoptjunkfoodandsodauserfees 6‐12months

X X

• CaliforniaFarmersMarketConsortiumEBTproject:www.rocfund.org

A. PromoteandassistFarmtoFamilyandgleaningprograms

6‐12months

X 4. Increaseemergencyfoodassistance

B. ExpandFoodWasteOrdinancetoCountyagencies

6‐12months

X

5. Improveeconomicstabilityofresidents

A. PromoteTransitionalSubsidizedEmploymenttoLAfoodbusinesses(gardens,processing,etc.)

6‐12months

X TSEProgram:www.ladpss.org/TSE.pdf

A. Expandschoolgardensandcookingprogramsforkidsandfamilies

6‐12months

X X6. Strengthennutrition/healthandfoodsystemliteracy B. Integrateskills‐basednutritioneducationinto

publicschoolcurriculum1‐3years

X

LASchoolGardenProgram:http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Common_Ground_Garden_Program/School_Gardens.htm


AppendixB 36

RegionalStewardshipofAgricultureandtheEnvironmentGoal: Ensurethaturbanandruralleaderstogetherstewardagriculturalandnaturalresources

infoodproductioninaneconomicallyfeasiblemannerforallinthefoodchain.Analysis

1. Urbaninterestinregionalfoodsecurity.Giveneconomic,environmental,andsocialuncertaintiesfacingthecurrentglobalfoodsystem,Angelenoshaveastronginterestinmaintainingfoodproductioncapacityintheregionandpreservingthelandandnaturalresourcebaseuponwhichthatcapacitydepends.Theeconomicviabilityoftheagriculturalsectorandstewardshipofagriculturalresourcesandtheenvironmentarenotjusttheconcernortheresponsibilityofruralcommunitiesintheregion.

2. Declineofagriculturalproduction.Althoughthenominaldollarvalueofcrop

productioninSouthernCaliforniahasremainedsteadyorgrownandproduction,atleastofsomecrops,vastlyoutstripsdemandwithintheregion,actualacreageinagriculturehasdeclinedasagriculturallandshavebeenconvertedtourbanuses.Thecostandavailabilityofwaterforagriculturalusesisalsoasignificantconstraintonproductioninthissemi‐aridtoaridregion,andonethatislikelytogrowasaresultofclimatechange,populationgrowth,andincreasedcompetitionforwaterresourceswithinandoutsideoftheregion.

3. Minimizingenvironmentalimpactsandmaximizingenvironmentalbenefitsof

agriculture.AgricultureinSouthernCaliforniaconfersnumerousenvironmentalbenefitsonbothurbanandruralcommunities,includingpreservationofopenspace,bufferingofwildlifehabitats,carbonsequestration,andfloodcontrol.However,mostagriculturalproductionintheregion,aselsewhere,reliesonextensiveuseoffossilfuelsandfossilfuel‐basedpesticidesandfertilizers,withattendantdirectandindirectenvironmentalcoststhatforthemostpartarenotreflectedincurrentfoodprices–infact,oursociety’s“cheap”foodsupplyisadirectconsequenceofourabilityandwillingnesstoexternalizethosecoststootherplacesandtofuturegenerations.Consumersandurbanandruralcommunitiesalikewillhavetosharethecostoftransitioningtomoresustainableagriculturalpractices,andcompensatingproducersfortheirconservationservices–viamarketprices,taxincentives,publicinvestments,andothermechanisms–ifproducersaretostayinbusinessintheregion.

4. Buildingpoliticalwill.Particularlyintoday’sfiscalandeconomicclimate,building

politicalwillacrosstheregiontofundagriculturalandenvironmentalstewardshipwillbechallenging.Giventhatagriculturalproducerscompriselessthan2%oftheelectorate,andgivenhowmuchisatstake,itisessentialtodevelopeffectivewaystoengageandeducatepolicymakersandthepublic.


AppendixB 37

RegionalStewardshipofAgricultureandtheEnvironmentGoal:Ensurethaturbanandruralleaderstogetherstewardagriculturalandnaturalresourcesinfoodproductioninaneconomicallyfeasiblemannerforallin

thefoodchain.


DrivesCity


A. Investinacquisitionoffarmlandandagconservationeasements

3‐5years

X

B. Incorporatefoodproductionintocityandregionalplanningprocesses

3‐6months

X

C. Supportstateandfederalfundingforagriculturallandconservation

1‐3years

X

1. Protectandconserveagriculturallandandresourcesintheregion

D. Securefundsforandinvestinwaterconservation,groundwatermanagementandreclamationprojects

1‐3years

X

SonomaCountyAgPreservation&OpenSpaceDistrict:www.sonomaopenspace.orgAPAPolicyGuideonCommunity&RegionalFoodPlanning:http://www.planning.org/policy/guides/adopted/food.htm

A. Supportcity,stateandfederalfundingforagriculturalstewardshipservices(e.g.,soilconservationandenhancement,transitiontoorganic,on‐farmrenewableenergygeneration,floodcontrol,carbonsequestration,habitatprotectionandenhancement)

1‐3years

X

2. Provideincentivestogrowers,distributorsandotherfoodbusinessestousesustainableproductionanddistributionpractices B. Developoradoptmeasurementandlabeling

systemtoidentify,rewardandincreaseconsumerdemandforsustainableregionalgrowersandfoodbusinesses

1‐3years

X X

StewardshipIndexforSpecialtyCrops:www.stewardshipindex.org

A. Conductaregionalassessmenttoinventoryfoodsystemassets,threats,andenvironmentalimpacts

6‐12months

X XPotentialFoodPolicyCouncilrole4. Developregional

agricultureandfoodsystemsustainabilitystrategy B. Establishabaselineandgoalsandidentifykey

strategiesforregionalstewardshipandenvironmentalperformanceimprovements

1‐2years

X X

6. Promotesharedurban‐ruralinterestinandresponsibilityforstewardship

A. Developpublicinformationcampaignsonissuesthatlinkurbanandruralstewardshipinterests(e.g.,invasivepests,waterconservationandreclamation,smartgrowth,foodsecurity,localfood)

3‐6months

X

CDFAAsianCitrusPsyllidcampaign:http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/acp/


AppendixB 38

BuildingaRegionalFoodshedIdentityGoal: Buildaregionalfoodshedidentityandmaintaindiverselandscapesandcommunities

thatcandistinguishandaddvaluetothefoodgrownintheregion.Analysis

1. Richagriculturalhistoryandfoodtraditions.LosAngeleswasoncetheleadingagriculturalcountyintheUnitedStates,andagriculturecontinuestobeanimportantpartofthelandscapeandcultureofthesurroundingruralregions.Theregionishomenowtoanincrediblediversityofcuisinesandfood‐relatedtraditions.Thefoodshedconceptpresentsanopportunitytoweavethesemulticulturalfoodstoriesandhistoriesintoacohesiveregionalfoodshedidentitythatelevatesthevisibility,recognitionandvalueoftheregionalfoodsystem,andcelebratestheculturesandtraditionsitcontains.

2. Roleofurbanagriculture.Urbanagriculture–frombackyardorrooftopgardenstocommunitygardensandmicro‐farms–cansupplementlocalfoodsupplyandincreaseaccesstofreshfruitsandvegetablesforfamiliesandneighborhoods.Itcanalsobeapowerfultoolforincreasingawarenessofwherefoodcomesfrom,andappreciationforthecriticalandhardworkthatfarmersperform.

3. Originlabeling.Labelingthatidentifiesfoodoriginsdowntothemicro‐regionandfarmtellsastory,givesconsumersachoice,andsupportspricingtomeetproducercosts.

4. Needforeducation.Althoughthereisincreasingawarenessoftheconnectionbetweendiet,nutritionandhealth,bothpolicymakersandthepublicinLosAngelesarealmostentirelydisconnectedfromthesourcesoftheirfoodandfromanyunderstandingofagriculture(localorotherwise)anditsimpactontheirlives,theeconomy,thecommunityandtheenvironment.Foodandagriculturalliteracyisneededtoincreasepublicsupportforagricultureanddemandforfresh,healthy,locallyandsustainablyproducedfoods.


AppendixB 39

BuildingaRegionalFoodshedIdentityGoal:Buildaregionalfoodshedidentityandmaintaindiverselandscapesandcommunitiesthatcandistinguishandaddvaluetothefoodgrownintheregion.


DrivesCity


A. Integrateagandfoodliteracyintopublicschoolcurriculumandextracurricularprograms

1‐2years

X X• Games;4H;FFA;outdoorscienceandfarmcamps;farmapprenticeshipprograms

B. DevelopmediacampaigninvolvingchefsandcelebritiestomakeagriculturemorevisibleandpositionLAasaworld‐classlocal/regionalsustainablefoodepicenter,fromtacotruckstohautecuisine

6‐12months

X

• RecapturingLA’spositionasleadingagcountyinthecountry

• Elevatorpitch:whatisafoodshedandwhy?

• Cropsigns,iPhoneapps,socialnetworking,tourismbureau,events

• USDA“Knowyourfarmer”program:www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer

1. IncreasepublicawarenessandunderstandingofLAfoodsystem

C. Supportandpromoteregionandmicro‐regionoriginlabeling(AVAtype,COOLforcounties)

1‐2years

X

• Wineappellationoforigin(AVA):www.ttb.gov/appellation

• Countryoforiginallabeling(COOL):www.ams.usda.gov/cool

• USDAFSMIPfunding:www.ams.usda.gov/fsmip

• Buylocalcampaigns:www.caff.org/programs/buylocal

4. IncreasedirectpublicinvolvementinandidentificationwiththeLAfoodsystem

A. Supportordinances,programsandfundingtoencouragemicro‐farmers,victorygardens,communitygardensandforaginggrounds 6‐12

monthsX

• UEPI,“Planningtosupporturbanagriculture”:http://uepi.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/let%e2%80%99s‐plan‐to‐support‐urban‐agriculture/

• “AgricultureinUrbanPlanning”:http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev‐133761‐201‐1‐DO_TOPIC.html


AppendixC 40

AppendixC:BackgroundResourcesCenterforFoodandJustice,“FreshFoodDistributionModelsforLosAngeles”http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/publications/TCE_Final_Report.pdf

JewishFederation,“BlueprinttoEndHungerinLosAngeles”http://www.givelifemeaning.org/files/Blueprint‐To‐End‐Hunger.pdf

RootsofChange,“A21st‐CenturySocialContractBetweenAgricultureandthePublic” http://www.rocfund.org/blogs/michael‐r.‐dimock‐s‐blog/a‐21st‐century‐social‐contract‐between‐agriculture‐the‐public

CaliforniaStateBoardofFood&Agriculture,“CaliforniaAgriculturalVision”http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision/

FoodFirst,CommunityFoodSecurityCoalition,“FoodPolicyCouncils:LessonsLearned”http://www.foodfirst.org/files/pdf/Food%20Policy%20Councils%20Report%20small.pdf

FrameworksInstitute,“HowtoTalkAboutFoodSystems” http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/assets/files/PDF_FoodSystems/How_to_Talk_food_Systems.pdf

RootsofChange,“DefinitionofaFoodshed” http://www.rocfund.org/panels/panels/draft‐definition‐of‐a‐foodshed‐draft‐definition‐of‐a‐foodshed

PolicyLink,“HealthyFoods,HealthyCommunities:ImprovingAccessandOpportunitiesThroughFoodRetailing”http://www.policylink.org/atf/cf/%7B97C6D565‐BB43‐406D‐A6D5‐ECA3BBF35AF0%7D/HEALTHYFOOD.pdf

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