Local Food

What is a Local Food System?

We believe a functioning Local Food System is a collaborative network that ensures environmental sustainability, economic viability for farmers and others working in the food chain, responsible waste management practices and equal access to fresh, healthy food by all members of our communities.

In 2012, Sustainable Solano began seeing signs of a local food movement, and organized Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) drop sites in Benicia. We also began a public education series called “What’s For Dinner?” where healthcare providers, farmers and other guest speakers discussed health benefits of local food and its positive impact on the local economy. These events also included cooking demonstrations using ingredients from the CSA boxes.

In 2017, we formally launched our work in local food systems with help from a USDA LFPP planning grant.  These resources helped us to gather a wide range of partners and stakeholders, which is now the Solano Local Food Alliance. Our vision is to diversify, expand and safeguard a local, healthy food economy that will preserve farmland, its integrity and biodiversity in Solano County, and ensure food access for all our communities.  The mission of Sustainable Solano’s Local Food initiative is to create an environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially just local food system in Solano County.

Click here to learn about the USDA LFPP grant and the work that has gone into building a Local Food System and click below to learn more!

 

Local Food Advisory Board

Ed King, Agricultural Commissioner, Solano County

Robin Cox, Sr. Health Services Manager, Solano Public Health

Gail Feenstra, Deputy Director SAREP, UC Davis

Amy Hartman, Solano County Regional Representative, Greenbelt Alliance

Sarah Hawkins, Solano County Farmbudsman

Mike Ioakimedes, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Solano County Fairgrounds

Kristin Kiesel, Assistant Professor of Teaching Agricultural and Resource Economics, Agricultural & Resource Economics Dept., UC Davis

Wendy Loomas, Health Services Manager, Solano Public Health

Ben Lyons, Farmer, Lockewood Acres

Denise Lyons, Farmer, Lockewood Acres + Criminalist Supervisor, Solano County DA

Jahniah McGill, Environmental Health Supervisor, Solano County

Greg Morrison, Board Member, Cultivate Community Food Co-Op

Stann Whipple, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Sustainable Solano

Wendy Rash,  District Conservationist for the Vacaville Service Center, USDA-NRCS

Sarah Hawkins, Solano County Farmbudsman

 

Nourishing Solano County: A Collaborative Vision for Medically Tailored Meals

A medically tailored meals program has yet to be fully established in the county, but initiatives are already underway. A diverse group of stakeholders from various sectors have rallied together, all driven by a shared vision.

‘Tis the Season for Local Food & Wine!

Need a last-minute special gift for someone? Give the gift of local food, wine and farm products!

CSA Farm Spotlight: Wilkinson Acres

Learn more about Wilkinson Acres and the people behind it in this Q&A with co-owner/farmer Courtney Wilkinson.

Eating Healthy with Immune-Boosting Foods

Culinary Arts Instructor Lisa Núñez-Hancock discusses foods that help you stay healthy.

Other Partner Initiatives

Cultivate Community Food Co-op. For more information, contact info@cultivatecommunityfood.coop