Charter

Mission Statement
To promote a sustainable food system that is equitable, profitable, resilient, and health promoting in the County of San Luis Obispo.

Vision Statement
San Luis Obispo County has a thriving, sustainable, and local food economy, and every resident has access to fresh, nutritious food without compromising the ability of the system to meet the needs of future generations.

Principles

• We believe all people in our community should have equitable and affordable access to buy or grow nutritious, culturally appropriate, sustainable, and locally grown food.
• We believe food and agriculture are central to the region’s economy and a strong commitment should be made to the protection, growth and development of these sectors.
• We believe it is important to educate the community on the value of a sustainable food system and nutritious food.
• We believe that success in developing, linking and strengthening the food system will be achieved through community partnerships and collaboration.
• We believe food brings us together in celebration of our community and it is an important part of our county’s culture.

Goals
The goals of the San Luis Obispo County Food System Coalition are to:

• Create a forum that brings people together from all sectors of the food system to generate new relationships and cross learning.
• Promote policies and programs that increase food security and social and economic opportunity for food producers, distributors and consumers in San Luis Obispo County.
• Support education and programs that encourage San Luis Obispo residents to make choices for a healthy life.
• Serve as a resource to the community to assist in solution-oriented local food system development programs and projects.

Definitions of Sustainable Food System Components

• Equitable: Abundant and available to all

• Profitable: For all participants in the food system
• Resilient: Thrives in the face of challenges like unpredictable climate, increased pest resistance, declining and increasingly expensive water and energy supplies
• Health-Promoting: Supports the physical and mental health of all participants in the food system.
• Access: Ability to reach
• Locally grown food: Grown as close to home as possible
• Local food system: Food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management as well as associated supporting and regulatory institutions and activities in San Luis Obispo County.

Image from: www.kitchenstewardship.com