Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Community-based Food System


Farm to Food Bank Program featured in San Diego TV report

On December 5, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross appeared with food bank officials in San Diego to emphasize a greater need for food assistance during the holidays, and to discuss the Farm-to-Food Bank Program, a joint effort with the California State Board of … Continue reading

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“Improving Food Access in California” report delivered to State Legislature

California agriculture is incredibly productive and diverse. While food from the state’s farmers and ranchers is generally available to many, there are still too many Californians lacking sufficient access to healthy foods. To remedy this situation, in 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown, … Continue reading

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California leads the way as organic agriculture spreads its wings from coast-to-coast

  The USDA has released its first-ever survey of organic farmers to determine that organic sales across the country in 2011 totaled more than $3.5 billion, with nearly 40 percent of that –almost $1.4 billion–coming from California.  The development is discussed further … Continue reading

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Baby Boomers passing baton to Millennials, with changes expected for food industry.

Findings from a joint study announced recently by Jeffries, a global investment bank, and AlixPartners, a global business advisory firm, suggest that demographic shifts between now and 2020 will drive significant changes in the food industry. The study, called Trouble in Aisle … Continue reading

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Farm to School Programs Teach, Nourish

I love visiting schools. When I see all those young faces I see the future – bright-eyed children who will be leading us in 20, 30 or 40 years. Those of us in positions of responsibility have an obligation to … Continue reading

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What happens to school gardens in summer?

http://grist.org/food/no-more-trowels-no-more-roots-what-happens-to-school-gardens-in-summer/ The biggest irony of the school garden is that it often goes untended during summer, the peak season. This is no coincidence; what we now call “summer vacation” used to be the time when most parents needed their children … Continue reading

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Bloomberg Businessweek – The Global Obesity Bomb

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-04/the-global-obesity-bomb?r=most%20popular New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in the headlines last week for his proposal to ban soft drink servings over 16 ounces. It’s the latest front of his war against obesity, which kills 5,000 residents in the city each … Continue reading

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Truckee Border Inspection Station on Reno TV

CDFA’s border inspection station at Truckee was recently featured as the lead story on a Reno TV newscast. Many northern Nevada residents regularly drive through the station, which is one of many safeguards in California to protect natural resources and a food supply that helps … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Community-based Food System, Environment, Food Access, Invasive Species, Specialty Crops, Trade | 1 Comment

Still the People’s Agency 150 Years Later – Happy Birthday, USDA!

For producers and consumers of food, this is a sesquicentennial like no other. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act, the single piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the modern … Continue reading

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Alternative Fuels, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Climate Change, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Food Safety, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HLB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Singapore farmers inspire with innovation and commitment to community

In California, I have the opportunity to meet with farmers almost everyday, and it’s a point of pride that they are widely admired for their innovation and support of local communities. What was inspiring about my trip to Singapore, a … Continue reading

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