California Food and Justice Coalition: Issues and Policy

CFJC Policy Platform

FOOD & JUSTICE: Policy Initiatives for Community Food Security in California (pdf)

CFJC’s 2006 Activities (pdf)

CFJC Campaigns and Issue Areas

2007 FEDERAL FARM BILL
For over seventy years the U.S. Farm Bill has set the country’s agricultural policies while doubling as a poor substitute for a national food policy. Historically, the Bill subsidizes large-scale production and processing of grains for export, while paying scant attention to ensuring access to healthy, sustainably-produced food—particularly fresh fruits and vegetables. With 12 million food insecure households, and 3.8 million families currently experiencing hunger in the U.S., food and farm activists across the country are keenly aware that the food needs of low-income, immigrants and many communities of color are simply not being met. Neither are smallholders, organic farmers, or farmland conservation adequately served by the nation’s current agricultural policies.

In September of 2007, the current Farm Bill will expire, and Congress will need to either replace it with a rewritten Farm Bill or extend the existing bill. CFJC is dedicated to educating the public about how the Farm Bill can be just for everyone involved in the food system and how to get involved in the debate.
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ACCESS TO LAND FOR FOOD PRODUCTION
In order to build a sustainable food system, growing food must be recognized as a valuable and important use for land in rural and urban areas. CFJC is working to develop a campaign that will preserve land for food production and ensure that beginning, small, new immigrant, and urban farmers have access to farmland. Our Land Access Membership Action Team (LAMAT)* guides CFJC's work in this area.
Resources and Links (in pdf format)

Grounding Ourselves – Innovate Land Tenure Models in CA and Beyond (pdf format)

LAMAT FAQ (pdf)

LAMAT Flier (pdf)

HEALTHY FARMS, HEALTHY SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN
CFJC's Healthy Farms/Healthy Students campaign aims to improve public health, reduce obesity, and preserve small-scale agriculture through the promotion of farm to institution programs. This campaign is focused on increasing public awareness and support for farm-to-institution initiatives through policy adoption and public investment. The Farm to School Membership Action Team provides direction for this campaign.
Resources and Links (in pdf format)

Make Farm to School Standard Practice - Model School Wellness Policy Language (pdf)

Summary of AB 826 – the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act of 2005 (pdf)

Farm to School Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

DOD Fresh FAQ (pdf)

Learn more about Farm to School in California

Rethinking School Lunch – a guide by the Center for Ecoliteracy

* What is a Membership Action Team? CFJC members participate in developing and carrying out the Coalition's campaigns through our Membership Action Teams. All CFJC members are welcome to participate in the MATs and contribute to the Coalition's success. Contact us for more information and to get involved (info@cafoodjustice.org).

Issue Papers

Direct Marketing

Farm to School Programs

Food and Economic Development

Food Assistance Programs

Urban Agriculture

The California Food and Justice Coalition is a project of the