A localized food system encompasses the closed-loop path of food as it moves from farm to table within the same region, including where it is grown, processed, distributed, consumed, and disposed of.
Diverse microclimates, temperate weather, and warm ocean waters contribute to the rich abundance Santa Barbara county farmers, ranchers, and fisherfolk are able to harvest. Yet, very little of this quality food makes it onto local plates due to critical gaps in our food system. The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (FAN) is working to identify and address these gaps.
Our Vision: we envision a future for California Central Coast where locally grown, nourishing, and culturally relevant food is accessible to all; where equity, sustainability, and wise practices are championed; where both local food businesses and workers thrive; and where our communities share in the responsibility of fostering economic, physical, and environmental resilience.
The Food Action Network works to connect, advocate, and build capacity with a network of food system actors to foster an equitable and robust local food economy, a healthy and just community, and a well-stewarded, resilient foodshed. Learn more about the Food Action Plan and our 16 goals here.
FAN primarily focuses on three areas of work: Network Sustainability, Advocacy, and Regional Infrastructure.
Network Sustainability
The network will improve capacity and diversify revenue to ensure that it is a sustainable entity rooted in equity.
Advocacy
The network will advocate for effective public policy that pushes change from the ground up to advance food justice.
Regional Infrastructure
The network will sustain systems and processes that connect regional actors to resources, learning, and partnerships.
Published in 2016, the Santa Barbara County Food Action Plan was conceived and co-written by the Community Environmental Council, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, the Santa Barbara Foundation, and the Orfalea Family Foundation (now sunsetted). More than 200 community members committed over 1,200 volunteer hours to help develop this strategy-based community “blueprint” for an accessible, thriving, sustainable, and healthy food system.
“It was incredible to see the drive and passion that fueled the planning process throughout its duration,” shared Sharyn Main, former Senior Director of Community Investments for the Santa Barbara Foundation, who worked closely on developing the Network. “The depth of understanding and the sense of urgency resulted in a plan that is comprehensive and achievable.”
It was soon realized that an organization was needed to ensure access to, knowledge of, and shared responsibility for countywide food system resilience building. SBCFAN was launched in fall of 2019 and later successfully received its 501(c)(3) status.
To learn more about the Santa Barbara Foundations work within Food please contact our Community Engagement Department, at CE@SBFoundation.org.
Over the past three years, FAN has supported a number of projects that expand and strengthen regenerative farming practices, regional infrastructure, food access, local food procurement and distribution, and farmland preservation. Read more about their countywide impact.
Your support is needed so that the Food Action Network can keep up with the pace of demand for our services – the seeding of the soil of our food system for years to come.
Learn more at sbcfoodaction.org.
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