The great state of California is, under CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, a strong advocate for the work we do. The CDFA Farm to School program granted Yubakami its refrigerated van in 2023, making so much possible in our efforts to bring produce to those most in need. And staff throughout the department is unstinting in its direct help, whenever we feel the need to reach out
The California Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) has been with us the whole way, including providing technical assistance in farming practices to a very naive Steven back in the mid-1980’s. More recently, they led the charge to squeeze $15M from the State legislature to provide LFPA funds to bring food from farmers directly to food banks. Here is their beautiful mission: We envision a nourished California where every community can access locally grown, affordable, culturally relevant fruits and vegetables, and where small farms have the support and connections needed for their businesses and livelihoods to flourish.
Fresh Approach (https://www.freshapproach.org/who-we-are/) managed federal LFPA funding for Yubakami from 2024-6. This program, Local Food Purchasing Assistance, supported our local farmers to the tune of $2M, and Fresh Approach was instrumental in assuring that the quality of our produce was recognized and appreciated https://www.freshapproach.org/were-nourishing-farmers-communities-across-the-state/.
There is an informal network of highly ethical food hubs in California which works together to share ideas and provide support when needed. Among these are Farms2People down in LA (https://www.farm2people.org/) and Harvest Hub (https://harvesthub.localfoodmarketplace.com/) up in Arcata.
Great Yuba County partners in the service of strengthening community include: Habitat for Humanity (especially John Nicoletti), Yuba College (Randall Edwards), the County itself (Kevin Perkins) and our County supervisors (Jon Messick, Gary Bradford, Renick House), the Blue Zones Project (Marni Sanders) and the indefatigable owner of the Village Coffee Shoppe and Bistro, Denise Landis. Denise has been the bridge to serving the kids at the Yuba County Juvenile Hall, who are benefiting from connection with the growing and preparing of food as they ready themselves for a fresh start in life. A true community food system is intensely personal: and we are blessed with a large number of truly extraordinary partners.
Steven at the Yuba Sutter Food Bank with Samiha, the LFPA manager from Fresh Approach