'LOCAL FOODS FORUM' - MORNING SPEAKERS 
 

During his keynote address, CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura (right) likened the health of the state’s children to a wilting plant at the end of crop row.  It’s a sad irony, he said, that children in the most agriculturally diverse state rank among the lowest states health wise.  He also offered a number of remedies for grower challenges of competing with cheap imported food products, responding to increased regulations, and anticipating consumer demand. Throughout his overview, Kawamura’s remarks resonated with his passion for growing and positive approach to improving the physical and economic health of California residents.

 

 

Jenny Huston (right), Manager of Oakland’s Farm-to-Table Program, made a number of points relating the nutritional and economic advantages of a local vs. global food system.  She said that produce imported from China or New Zealand loses vital nutrients during shipment that may last several months.  Also, according to Huston, every dollar spent on a locally-produced product circulates in the local economy up to five times creating a more stable economy.  She concluded her talk explaining the importance of county government developing and implementing policies that support Lake County’s local food system.

 

Shermain Hardesty (left), PhD, Ag & Resource Economics at UC Davis, addressed local direct marketing options, processing facility needs, food safety regulations and collaboration in transportation and distribution.  She also outlined the role of online food ordering systems in facilitating transactions between growers and consumers or institutional buyers and emphasized the importance of food processing facilities, transportation and distribution systems.

 
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