San Diego Food System Alliance presents
Introduction from the Alliance
Dear friends,
As an organization working to cultivate a healthy, sustainable, and just food system, we often hear big ideas about how to solve the world’s crises and build a brighter future. We witness well-intentioned proposals for all kinds of solutions—robotics to reduce food waste, geoengineering for managing emissions, software to reconnect eaters to local producers, and global “moonshot” competitions to reconfigure our food system altogether.
Many of these efforts may be innovative, in a way, but as we hear more about them, the absence of life (and reverence for it) looms loud. The tidy graphs and catchy pitches leave little room for nuance, diversity, and true empathy for the life that these projects purportedly aim to protect.
The pull of problem-solving can be irresistible, especially in times like these when change is so clearly needed. But this insistence on fixing, rather than healing, pulls us out of the present and distracts from the answers that are alive, all around us—in the land, in our communities, in our relations.
Digging deep into the idea of belonging this year opened our minds to the ways colonial ideology is ingrained in our society, and separates us from finding these enduring answers. We forget that as humans, it is we who belong to the land and to places—not the other way around. We automatically turn to controlling, grasping, extracting. The colonial desire to dominate manifests in our proposed moonshots (as well as the extraction that created the crisis in the first place). It can manifest in even our most heartfelt efforts to solve, fix, and make projects of life.
Overcoming this problematic mindset can’t be tackled with the usual slew of deadlines and measurable goals alone, as over-reliance on these is part of the problem. Instead, we must heal, listen, trust, rest, reach out, show up, diversify, care, organize.
Looking inward and examining to whom and to where we belong, may be the only thing that reveals a way forward. Finding and creating belonging allows life-filled solutions to emerge and lasting growth to manifest. This year, the Alliance did our best to do these things, and indeed, we grew:
— We multiplied our reach to 4,000 subscribers, 500 members, and 450 attendees at our largest and most diverse Annual Gathering to date, only after we articulated our culture of healing and commitment to leading with racial justice in order to realize a healthy, sustainable, and just food system.
— We activated conversations around San Diego County food policy—for example, elevating community voices in the allocation of American Rescue Planning Act (ARPA) funding for food systems, only after bringing together over 3,000 voices over two years to collaborate on San Diego County Food Vision 2030.
— We received a $700k federal grant and launched the Local Food Economy Lab—a transformative program to connect small-scale farmers, fishermen, and food business owners in San Diego County with resources for viability, only after we spent years intentionally building deep relationships with local businesses and communities, a cornerstone of our operating strategy.
— We had our most successful fundraising year yet, increasing our organizational budget to $1.2M, growing our BIPOC- and women-led team, and building our capacity to pass on funds to grassroots efforts leading food system transformation in San Diego County, only after we embraced an abundance mindset and examined the harm in traditional fundraising and funder/ grantee dynamics within our movement.
All of this has taken many years. Years of individual growth, collective growth, uncomfortable dialogue, hard decisions, and being okay with uncertainty. None of the solutions that have emerged are tidy or catchy—but they are enduring.
As 2022 comes to an end, we’re not only proud of our growth this year, we’re humbled by the journey our team, community, and region have taken together in the last decade. In 2022, we have truly risen to new heights. We have found and created belonging.
We can’t wait to continue this work with you.
In solidarity,
The team at the San Diego Food System Alliance
What We Did This Year to
Build Networks
Deepened investment in our 21-member, majority BIPOC Stewardship Committee
The Alliance’s work is informed by our Stewardship Committee, who ensures we remain accountable to our community and values. Our regular meetings have served as a space for collective learning, reflection, and knowledge-sharing among diverse leaders across our food system.
Launched a new Membership Program and grew our community to 500 members
This year, the Alliance launched a new membership program, free and open to everyone. We’ve welcomed 500 individuals from businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, foundations, and the general public to join the movement to transform the food system in San Diego County.
Hosted 450 leaders at the second Annual Gathering for Food Vision 2030
The Annual Gathering, held at the Center for the Arts in Escondido this year, was truly memorable. 450 leaders attended, including 47% who identified as Indigenous or people of color and 48% who identified as producers, processors, distributors, food workers, farmworkers, food business owners and managers, or community organizers.
Expanded Community Partnerships
The Alliance’s work is rooted in relationships. This year we deepened our relations particularly with grassroots organizers, small food producers and business owners, Tribal communities, and elected officials—hailing from North County to the border, from the mountains to the coast. Immense wisdom has emerged from spending time with our partners in the places where they live and work.
“Thank you for creating such a safe space for all of us.”
“What the San Diego Food System Alliance has been cultivating is pretty amazing and powerful. This is the kind of thing that actually gives me hope.
My heart is bursting from the synergy of the Annual Gathering, where I was able to share space and ideas with inspiring folks whom I love. There was so much brilliance, heart, and tenacity! To the team at the Alliance, y'all are catalysts with so much soul. Thank you for creating such a safe space for all of us to come together to dream, share, organize, and co-create. Adelante!”
— Bianca Bonilla, Botanical Community Development Initiatives
What We Did This Year to
Change Policies
Advocated for elevating community voices in the allocation of ARPA funding for food systems
The Alliance is committed to community-led policy advocacy. This year, we worked closely with the County of San Diego, San Diego Foundation, and our community partners to ensure that American Rescue Planning Act (ARPA) funding allocations centered the needs and voices of local communities.
Released “Uprooting Segregation Through Our Food System,” a StoryMap
Drawing on the work of San Diego County researchers, the Alliance published "Uprooting Segregation Through Our Food System" to highlight the deep history and continued impacts of segregation in our food system. The StoryMap also shines a light on communities of color that are planting seeds of justice throughout our region.
Identified food system policy priorities with our Stewardship Committee
With San Diego County Food Vision 2030 as our platform, the Alliance collectively developed a set of policy priorities for community mobilization in the coming years. These include improving the quality of life for food system workers, supporting the viability of local farms, fisheries, and food businesses, increasing climate-smart agriculture and affordable access to water, expanding community agriculture and food sovereignty, and scaling up food waste prevention and recovery.
Deepened relationships with elected officials and community partners
The Alliance worked to cultivate strong relationships with elected officials and community partners this year. In particular, we strengthened partnerships with officials at the County of San Diego and cities across the region, as well as with local food system workers, businesses, frontline organizations, and Tribal communities.
“The Alliance has helped me stay updated on what is going on in local food system efforts.”
“As a Stewardship Committee member, I have enjoyed hearing and learning about the connectedness of our food system, from local farmers to restaurants and business owners. I enjoy the collective nature of the work.”
“The diversity of participants, the authenticity, interest and passion/commitment are all special. The Alliance creates very intentional spaces.”
“Being on the Alliance’s Stewardship Committee has helped me better understand the food system community and advocacy network, and stay updated on what is going on in local food system efforts.”
— San Diego Food System Alliance Stewardship Committee members on their experience this year
What We Did This Year to
Shift Culture
Shared our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Roadmap nationally
The Alliance was honored to present “Collective Wayfinding: Reimagining a More Just Organization” in partnership with the Food Systems Leadership Network, where we shared our three-year journey to center racial justice in our work and organizational leadership. We’re grateful to be joining national conversations about community-led advocacy and movement-building efforts across the country!
Held transformational space and events for our region’s food justice leaders
Through the Annual Gathering—which included 15 workshops and panels—as well as regular convenings, social events like our Member Mixer, and field-building sessions, the Alliance leaned deeply into our role as weavers and resource mobilizers supporting the movement to cultivate a healthy, sustainable, and just food system in San Diego County. We plan to increase opportunities for in-person and virtual events in the coming year.
Used our language, imagery, and media to support an equitable, inclusive movement
The Alliance strives to shift culture by uplifting authentic stories, advancing inclusive narratives, and distributing equitable media. The words and images we use shape the movement we build. This year, we continued to use only real images representing people we know, abide by our Storytelling Ethics, examine our language, and contract local, community-rooted artists to document our region.
Photos from The 2nd Annual Gathering for San Diego County Food Vision 2030
“This year’s Annual Gathering for Food Vision 2030 was truly memorable. We felt the resilience and beautiful diversity of our region. Seeds planted long ago felt like they sprouted, older roots reached down deep, and many new seeds were sown.”
Thank you to the incredible Tomoko Matsubayashi for beautifully capturing the day.
What We Did This Year to
Increase Capacity
Co-designed and launched the Local Food Economy Lab
The Alliance was thrilled to receive a $700,000 USDA grant last year to bring the Local Food Economy Lab to life! This year, we partnered with a group of incredible community advisors to co-design the Lab. This new program centers equity and community ownership, and works to support the viability of small-scale farmers, ranchers, fishermen, food business owners, and the communities they serve in San Diego County.
Applications for the Lab’s Tailored Business Planning and Coaching Program will be accepted starting in January, and a communications platform for connecting our region’s local food economy is currently in development.
Evolved our food waste prevention work, with a new Save the Food, SD! website
Reducing food waste has been an important area of focus for the Alliance since its founding. For many years, we had the honor of stewarding many vibrant, collaborative spaces for the food waste prevention and food recovery sectors. Today, ending food waste is one of San Diego County’s most well-coordinated and resourced movements. As the Alliance has shifted our focus to uplift communities and efforts that have long been under-resourced, we are working on a way to transition our role and any remaining resources to some of our longstanding partners.
We are proud to have launched the Save the Food, San Diego! campaign website this year, with resources for San Diegans to reduce food waste at home, and at their food businesses.
Healing and Centering Love as Movement Builders & Nonprofit Workers
“As I have witnessed the impact of love at work, I’ve let the word fill my vocabulary—as a Co-Executive Director, a network weaver, a fundraiser, a systems thinker.
Only with love has the Alliance been able to nurture our organization this year, and together with our network, grow the movement for transforming San Diego County’s food system. Only with love have we collectively been able to recognize systemic injustice and open up to hard conversations about where we stand within it—how we have experienced harm, and how we may be perpetuating it. Only with love can we practice equity, strive to be in right relationship with the Kumeyaay people and their land, upon which we are guests, and act in the interest of future generations we will never meet. Only with love can we continue to keep our torches lit, and practice the healing and self compassion that are essential as we work toward a more just future.”
What We Did This Year to
Nurture Our Organization's Health
Developed shared leadership structure and procedures for a more democratic organization
With the support of our partners at Harmonize, The Alliance has been intentionally working on re-aligning our leadership structure and procedures to ensure that knowledge, power, and labor are all shared democratically. We’re currently drafting policies and formalizing processes to help our team be effective movement builders and stay aligned through growth.
Increased capacity for resource organizing
With the support of our partners at Más Allá, the Alliance also began a journey of resource organizing —a practice intended to shift fundraising culture and build stronger movements. Our efforts so far include partnering with other organizations to explore more collaborative fundraising, creating opportunities for building capacity throughout our field, and shifting to more sustainable and equitable fundraising practices. In the new year, we hope to deepen this work, and ultimately, mobilize more resources for the movement.
Raised $1.2M to support food system transformation in our region
The Alliance is humbled and grateful to have had our most successful fundraising year yet, increasing our organizational budget to $1.2M, growing our BIPOC- and women-led team to 8 employees, and increasing our capacity to pass on funds to support grassroots efforts in San Diego County. We thank our funding community and look forward to continuing to work with emerging, aligned partners!
Cultivated a culture of wellness, empathy, and care in our organization and network
The Alliance has always prioritized a culture of wellness, empathy, and care for both our team and network. Working to shift power and uproot unjust systems can fill our days with stress and uncertainty. The Alliance continues to cultivate wellness at work—from designing our meeting structures and workplace arrangements around empathy and trust, to creating time-off policies and employee benefits that care for our people.
Thank You
This year could not have been possible without your support. Whether you are an Alliance partner, funder, member, subscriber, or a new friend just beginning to learn about our work, we are grateful for you.
This year, we experienced generosity in the form of time, energy, wisdom, resources, conversation, expertise—not to mention shared meals, seeds, flowers, plants. All of this flowed from an incredible community of individuals and groups who share our vision for a healthy, sustainable, and just food system in San Diego County—one that belongs to and nourishes us all.
This is what the movement is all about: knowing that we belong to this place, and stepping into the power of caring for it and for each other. We are all interconnected. The same matter and energy that flows through one of us flows through us all, as we are one community and ecosystem.
We thank you for supporting the San Diego Food System Alliance, and for all that you do to nourish this region.
Please consider making a donation to the San Diego Food System Alliance to support our work.
Donations from our community enable us to create lasting change in the food system and provide important support, resources, and advocacy for food system organizations in our region—including farmers, food workers, local food businesses, and nonprofits.
