Staff Report
The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) has announced the opening of the SBCFAN 2020 Fall Food System Resilience Grants that will be given to nonprofit organizations whose projects contribute to the broader food systems of Santa Barbara County. Grant money awarded will go up to $25,000.
SBCFAN grew out of the development of a community-driven strategic plan that assesses and provides recommendations for how we grow, distribute, consume and dispose of food.
Spearheaded by the Community Environmental Council and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, more than 200 community members put in some 1,200 hours of volunteer guidance to produce the Santa Barbara County Food Action Plan, which was published in 2016.
Since then, SBCFAN has helped bridge partnerships and fuel regional collaboration across a diverse spectrum of food system change makers in all corners of the county.
The funds, provided by the Santa Barbara Foundation, will be awarded by the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network in partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, through a process of research, planning, due diligence and evaluation.
The network consults with an external volunteer committee whose expertise ensures an equitable and impact driven approach to the review process.
The application process opened on Oct. 13; applications are due on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
To learn more about the grant, including criteria and application information, visit sbcfoodaction.org/grants, or view the information session: Community Food & Farming
Discussion Series, Oct. 29, Nov. 11 and Dec. 2.
The SBCFAN Fall Community Food & Farming Discussion Series will highlight local food system leaders and efforts throughout the county, cultivate discussion on local food system needs and challenges, and present opportunities to create a more resilient and equitable foodshed.
Panelists will include representatives from the nonprofit, public and private sectors. The three-part virtual discussion events are free. Each session will include 60 minutes of discussion with the panelists, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Live Spanish interpretation will be available.
Oct. 29, noon – Food Access & Food Security
Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m. – Food Sovereignty & Food Justice
Dec. 2, time TBA – Local Farms & Local Food
For more information, or to sign up for any or all of the virtual discussion sessions, visit https://www.sbcfoodaction.org/community-food-farming-discussion-series.
