San Diego Food System Alliance Receives USDA Grant to Launch a Local Food Economy Lab
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a $90.2 million investment in 203 projects to strengthen and explore new market opportunities for local and regional food businesses. The funding is made possible through grant programs administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) as part of the Local Agriculture Marketing Program (LAMP). This program includes both Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Programs (FMLFPP) and Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP).
Of the $90.2 million, $14.8 million was awarded by Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) to 30 projects across 24 states, in order to support partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. These 30 projects focus on strengthening the viability and resilience of regional food economies through collaboration and coordination.
We’re thrilled to announce that the San Diego Food System Alliance’s proposal around implementing San Diego County Food Vision 2030 and the Local Food Economy Lab was one of the 30 projects selected for this cycle of RFSP funding!
The executive summary of the Alliance’s proposal is outlined below.
The San Diego Food System Alliance (Alliance), is a diverse and inclusive multi-sector network that works across the region to promote collaboration, influence policy, and catalyze transformation in the food system. After a 2 year planning process engaging with over 250 cross-sector organizations and nearly 3,000 individuals—primarily low-income residents, tribal communities, food producers, businesses, and workers—the Alliance is launching San Diego County Food Vision 2030 in July 2021. Food Vision 2030, visualized through a report and a website including an indicator dashboard (sdfoodvision2030.org), outlines 10 objectives positioned to transform our regional food system to accomplish 3 goals: 1) cultivate racial justice, 2) fight climate change, and 3) build resilience.
To advance several Food Vision 2030 Objectives, the project goal is to launch a ”Local Food Economy Lab” that centers equity and community ownership and works to improve the viability of local farms, fisheries, and food businesses. The Lab will engage with a diverse set of public and private partners within the Food Vision 2030 network, including local farms, fisheries, food hubs, food businesses, institutions, mid-tier value chain businesses, technical assistance providers, government, philanthropic, financing, and economic development partners to coordinate customized business and technical assistance, mobilize funding, influence policy, and scale up local, equitable, and sustainable value chains. The Lab will also facilitate the economic case-making for investing in the regional food system. Through deep collaboration with partners, the project will involve two phases: 1) co-design the Lab and reimagine value chains, 2) implement the Lab services.
We are thrilled to have been selected alongside 29 other incredible projects across the U.S. that are strengthening the viability and resilience of regional food economies for their communities, through proposals such as improving workforce development, creating high-value market opportunities for small and mid-scale producers, advancing worker collaboratives, building food hubs, developing plans for collective action, and more. Read about all 30 funding recipients here. We are honored to be part of this list.
We are also pleased to share that our friends and allies at Foodshed were also selected to receive USDA funding through the Local Food Promotion Program. Foodshed is a farmer-owned, cooperatively run distribution company that works at the intersection of farm viability and food insecurity. Our hope is that the new Local Food Economy Lab can provide greater support to businesses like Foodshed and many other farms, fisheries, and food businesses across San Diego County.
We extend enormous gratitude to the many individuals who encouraged us, drafted letters of support, contributed to San Diego County Food Vision 2030, and have been longtime partners and leaders in the movement to cultivate justice, fight climate change, and build resilience in San Diego County’s food system.
See the official release below.
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