About the Food System Coalition

The SLO County Food System Coalition, or FSC, is a collaborative network that brings together many sectors, including consumers, county and non-profit agencies, independent growers, and institutional buyers, among others. The FSC supports research, policy, and advocacy projects conducted by our work groups and partner organizations which strengthen the local food system. The FSC also hosts quarterly meetings that serve to educate our community on food systems issues relevant to the county, and to create networking opportunities.

The FSC brings together stakeholders from diverse sectors to generate changes that will strengthen the local food system. We act to build consensus and bridges, strengthening both local agriculture and the environment. Together, we are creating a shared vision of a robust and sustainable land and community.
Everyone is welcome to join our quarterly meetings and/or a workgroup.

History

The FSC was formed as part of a USDA Hunger-Free Communities grant received by the Food Bank Coalition of SLO County in June 2011. The first task of the Food System Coalition was to create a local Hunger-Free Community Plan, which included a food security survey of 800 low-income residents, a food store survey of the county’s grocery stores, and inventories of local food system resources. These resources, along with the accumulated wisdom of community members who have been participating in our planning process, was used to develop recommendations to guide the county's efforts to end hunger and malnutrition.

In 2015 the FSC, through a partner organization, was awarded an ArtPlace America community development grant for research and outreach in the area of local buying programs.

In 2018 the Food Bank Coalition received a USDA Community Food Projects Grant which sponsored a number of projects related to food access, education and nutrition through FSC partner organizations.

Reports generated through these, and other grants, can be found under Resources.

Read our charter.

Learn about our work groups & administrative committee and staff.
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Contact us.

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