The Local Food Economy Lab is a new program that 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.
We envision a local food economy that elevates social, environmental, and economic justice for all. In our vision, people are engaged, communities are empowered, and farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food business owners are all thriving, cooperating, and living in harmony with nature.
Programs & services of the Local Food Economy Lab
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Digital Community & Communication Platform
Peer-to-peer Programming
Physical Resource Hub
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Policy priority setting
Mobilizing around active campaigns
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Digital Resource Hub
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Community Funds & Financing
Value Chain Facilitation
Market Research
Whom does the lab serve?
The Local Food Economy Lab serves small-scale farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food business owners at all stages, especially those in our community for whom traditional business development services have been out of reach.
We focus on Indigenous, Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Middle Eastern/North African, Pacific Islander, and other people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ+, seniors, individuals with low income, and those advancing community ownership and collaborative models.
The Lab serves for-profit and nonprofit businesses.
New! The Local Food Economy Lab's Pollinator
Pollinator, a tailored business planning and coaching program, provides comprehensive services to support the viability of farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food businesses in San Diego County. This program centers equity and community ownership and prioritizes beginning and small scale enterprises.
Formal services through Pollinator are highly customized for each participant and can last up to two years depending on their needs, scale, and stage of operation. Informal support services can be available to participants through the Lab beyond the two years, if needed.
This program works with values-aligned partners to deliver services ranging from business plan development and coaching to marketing and legal support to a limited number of enterprises each year.
The goal of Pollinator is to provide deep support to food system businesses to help them create a strong foundation for viability and success.
The application for our second Pollinator cohort closed on February 29, 2024. Our next cycle will open in January 2025.
Current Projects & Partnerships
Pixca
Pixca is a people of color worker cooperative farm that advances food sovereignty and implements diversified, ecological farming in service of the South Bay San Diego community.
Through the Local Food Economy Lab, the San Diego Food System Alliance, Minnow, Kitchen Table Consultants, and The Conservation Fund have been working together to support Pixca as they grow their farm business. The partnership with Pixca Farm includes support wth co-op development, business plan development, capital access, and land acquisition.
Foodshed
Co-founded in March 2020, Foodshed is a farmer-owned aggregation and distribution hub committed to regenerating San Diego’s agricultural lands, cultivating just livelihoods within the local food system, and equitably distributing fresh produce to all San Diegans.
The Local Food Economy Lab, together with Kitchen Table Consultants, is supporting Foodshed with business plan development,cooperative conversion, and capital access.
San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group
The San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group (SDFWG) is a fishermen-led organization that promotes the food-security, economic, and cultural roles that commercial fishermen play in the greater San Diego region.
Through the Local Food Economy Lab, the San Diego Food System Alliance supports the SDFWG with business plan development, legal support, and organizational development, and capital access.
Heal the Earth at Wild Acres Farm
Heal the Earth at Wild Acres Farm is a nonprofit social enterprise located in Bonsall on a 34-acre avocado orchard that is transitioning a conventional farm to an organic, regenerative-agriculture, woman-owned farm and food hub that supports local value-added food processing, on-farm retail, and food business incubation in the region.
The Local Food Economy Lab, together with Kitchen Table Consultants, is supporting Heal the Earth at Wild Acres Farm with business plan coaching and capital access.
Local Food Economy Lab Advisors
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