FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LOS ANGELES … · Recommendation 1: Develop a comprehensive set of...
Transcript of 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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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
Source: County Agricultural Commission Crop Reports
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
Source: County Agricultural Commission Crop Reports
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
AppendixB 35
BetterAccesstoFreshandHealthyFoodForAllGoal:Helpcommunityleadersdevelopplansandimplementationstrategiestocreatethesystemicchangesnecessarytoexpandaccessandmeetthegood
foodneedsofurbanandruralresidents,particularlymoderateandlowerincomeconsumersandcommunitiesofcolor.
Strategies Actions TimingCity
DrivesCity
SupportsModels,Resources&Comments
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
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
AppendixB 37
RegionalStewardshipofAgricultureandtheEnvironmentGoal:Ensurethaturbanandruralleaderstogetherstewardagriculturalandnaturalresourcesinfoodproductioninaneconomicallyfeasiblemannerforallin
thefoodchain.
Strategies Actions TimingCity
DrivesCity
SupportsModels,Resources&Comments
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/
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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.
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
AppendixB 39
BuildingaRegionalFoodshedIdentityGoal:Buildaregionalfoodshedidentityandmaintaindiverselandscapesandcommunitiesthatcandistinguishandaddvaluetothefoodgrownintheregion.
Strategies Actions TimingCity
DrivesCity
SupportsModels,Resources&Comments
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
LosAngelesUrban‐RuralRoundtable
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