California Food & Justice Coalition February Newsletter

California Food & Justice Coalition

> :: February 2007 Newsletter ::
>
> In this Issue
> :: Farm Bill News
> :: Internships with CFJC
> :: New Resources and Reports
> :: Funding Opportunities
> :: Roots of Change Fund Information & Outreach Meeting
> :: World Hunger & Food Price Protest (from Hunger Action Los Angeles)
> :: ACTION: Stop Amendments That Would Cut Farm Workers from the Minimum Wage
> (from UFW via Hunger Action Los Angeles)
> :: Member Announcements ­ jobs, events, alerts and more....
>
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> :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> Farm Bill News
>
> :: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released proposal for
> the 2007 Farm Bill. They feature a policy shift that would cut traditional
> subsidies for Midwestern commodity crops like corn and soybeans, and boost
> support for research, marketing and conservation programs that would benefit
> California's huge produce industry. Read their proposals Website:
> http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1UH?contentidonly=true&c
> ontentid=2007/01/0019.xml. You can read comments made by Agriculture Secretary
> Mike Johanns at: http://www.usda.gov/2007/01/0021.xml
> What are people saying about it?
> * Sacramento Bee ³Farm Bill May Help California Fruit and Vegetable Growers²
> http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/116042.html
> * ³EU Criticizes US Farm Proposal
> ³ http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200702/0c1d6a
> d4-09a5-48c9-8a3f-7a2edf454925.htm and
> * ³US Farm Bill Not Enough to Revive Global Trade Talks, EU Says²
> http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_11725-US-farm-Bill-Not-Enough-To-Revive-Global
> -Trade-Talks-EU-says.html
> * America¹s Second Harvest
> http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-01-2
> 007/0004518656&EDATE=
>
> :: Farm and Food Policy Project Supports Push For Major Farm Bill Changes. A
> policy report called ³Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm and Food Policy,² was
> released in January with endorsements by more than 300 organizations,
> including CFJC and many of our members. The report was developed under the
> auspices of the Farm and Food Policy Project, a collaboration of rural, family
> farm, conservation, anti-hunger, nutrition, faith-based, public health, and
> other groups. The report outlines innovations aimed at reducing hunger and
> soaring rates of obesity; encouraging local food production, and providing
> incentives for more environmentally-friendly farming systems, among a wide
> range of other proposals. View the policy statement and recommendations at:
> http://www.farmandfoodproject.org/declaration.asp.
>
> :: STAY TUNED After a brief hiatus the CA Food and Justice Coalition will
> revive our membership policy committee with a focus on the 2007 Farm Bill.
> We¹ll send out an alert soon with the call in details and agenda. This
> monthly call is an opportunity for all CFJC members and allies (policy wonks
> and neophytes) to get updates on Farm Bill progress, learn about current
> actions & how to get involved and give input into CFJC¹s campaign to build
> support for local food systems through the farm bill. STAY TUNED
>
> Learn the basics about the Farm Bill and how it affects all of us on the CFJC
> website: http://www.foodsecurity.org/california/CA_Issues.html
>
>
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> Internships with CFJC
>
> CFJC is looking for Interns! We¹re looking for several people with a variety
> of skill sets, and are happy to work with people in any part of the state. We
> welcome creative and energetic folks as well as techie bookish types who want
> to contribute their time, passion and skills to the coalition. If you are
> interested or know of someone who might be contact Heather at
> heather [at] foodsecurity.org (310) 822-5410. A full internship description can be
> found at our website: http://www.CAFoodJustice.org.
>
>
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> NEW RESOURCES & REPORTS
>
> :: The California Legislative Black Caucus released The State of black
> California. A one year research process has lead to a report on the status of
> the state¹s black population relative to whites and other ethnic and racial
> groups. The nine-member Caucus, largest delegation in the state¹s history,
> commissioned the report in order to develop a public policy agenda for the
> Caucus that would improve the lives of Black Californians. Download the
> report at:
> http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a47/press/20070131AD47PR01.htm
>
> :: The Land Use & Health project has a new publication, Economic Development
> and Redevelopment: A Toolkit on Land Use & Health. This toolkit is a primer
> for public health advocates who want to work with local government to
> stimulate the development of new food retail or to expand food access in
> low-income neighborhoods. You can download a free copy at
> http://www.healthyplanning.org/. Land Use and Health project staff are
> available to conduct trainings and provide technical assistance to public
> health advocates and local government officials. They have a deep
> understanding of economic development and redevelopment processes, policies,
> and strategies, and we are particularly knowledgeable about how these tools
> can be used to address health disparities in low-income communities. You can
> reach them (510) 302-3308. You can also sign up for their Healthy Eating
> Newsletter at: http://healthyplanning.org/newsletter.html.
>
> :: CA Center for Public Health Advocacy released Searching for Healthy Food:
> The Food Landscape in California Cities and Counties. The report documents
> that in 2005, the state had more than four times as many fast-food restaurants
> and convenience stores as supermarkets and produce vendors. Two counties (San
> Bernardino and Sacramento), and two cities (Bakersfield and Fresno), had
> nearly six times as many fast-food restaurants and convenience stores as
> supermarkets and produce vendors. Read the report at:
> http://www.publichealthadvocacy.org/searchingforhealthyfood.html
>
>
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> Funding Opportunities
>
> :: LAST CHANCE :: CA Department of Education School Garden Funding: CDE has
> $15 million to support school gardens in public and charter schools. Grants of
> $2500 and $5000 (for schools with more than 1000 students) are available to
> all eligible CA schools on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications
> will be available in early January and must be submitted through your Local
> Education Agency (i.e. districts, county offices of education, state board of
> charter schools). If you are interested contact your LEA soon and make that
> they apply on your behalf. The application will be available on the CDE
> website once the grant is posted: http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/. Deadline:
> February 2007 Website: For more school garden info and funding
> opportunities, visit the CA School Garden Network at http://www.csgn.org/
>
> :: Community Food Projects Federal Grant: The Community Food Projects (CFP)
> Competitive Grants Program is a major funding source for community-based food
> and agriculture projects in the U.S. Approximately $4.6 million in funds will
> be available in 2007. Letters of intent are due Feb. 13th and based on a
> review of these letters, some applicants will be invited to submit a full
> proposal, which will be due by April 13. The application procedures are
> detailed in the CFP Request for Applications is available on-line. Deadline:
> Letters of intent are due Tuesday, February 13th Website:
> http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12255&mode=VIEW. The Letters of
> Intent (LOI) will be submitted by email, but those invited to submit a full
> proposal will need to go through a complicated electronic submission process.
> Because this process can take up to two months or more and will soon be
> required for all federal grants, applicants not already registered are
> strongly encouraged to start the registration process as soon as possible at
> http://www.grants.gov. More information and technical support contacts are
> available online at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/funding.cfm. Also, the
> Community Food Security Coalition offers free assistance to CFP applicants.
> CFSC¹s technical assistance (TA) specialists can help you decide whether or
> not to apply, clarify CFP program guidelines, address technical questions,
> provide feedback on program plans or proposal drafts, and help you develop an
> evaluation plan. CFSC will sponsor up to 75 minutes of one-on-one assistance
> per grant applicant at no cost. Additional time may be available at an hourly
> rate. If you would like to use this service visit
> http://www.foodsecurity.org/cfp_help.html for details.
>
>
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> Roots of Change Fund Information & Outreach Meeting
>
> The Roots of Change (ROC) are hosting a series of meetings around the state in
> February and March to launch their effort to create a sustainable food and
> farming system in California by the year 2030. Bound by a common vision,
> producers, NGOs, business, government, foundations and others will work
> together to devise plans and implement projects to reach a sustainable food
> system in one generation. This system-oriented effort will seek to improve
> the health of our communities, render sound agricultural and food policy,
> create viable jobs, increase market opportunities, and effect positive change
> in the environment in California. The first meeting will be in LA. Details:
> Monday, February 26th, 1:00-4:00 pm @ The Center for Healthy Communities/The
> California Endowment, 1000 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 RSVP:
> Nicole Mason at Nicole [at] rocfund.org or (415) 391.0545. Agenda: learn: the
> essence of proposed initiatives to achieve a sustainable food system; How you
> can help shape plans and implementation of projects; ROC¹s role and proposed
> services; How you can receive ROC¹s requests for grant proposals; How to apply
> for a 2007 ROC Planning Fellowship New web-based tools will be introduced at
> he meeting, those who have laptop computers to bring them to the meeting.
>
>
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> World Hunger & Food Price Protest
> (from Frank Tamborello at Hunger Action Los Angeles)
>
> :: Billions of people will suffer water shortages and the number of hungry
> will grow by hundreds of millions by 2080 as global temperatures rise,
> scientists warn in a new report. The report estimates that between 1.1 billion
> and 3.2 billion people will be suffering from water scarcity problems by 2080
> and between 200 million and 600 million more people will be going hungry.
> Global Warming To Cause Hunger Website:
> http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/30/070130081454.ieaxdzu8.html
>
> :: ³The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has opened a new
> front in its battle against hunger and malnutrition - in the world's cities
> where most of global population growth is set to take place over the next
> decades².Š.for example ² In the Democratic Republic of Congo, FAO is working
> alongside city authorities to help develop 800 hectares of urban land in
> several cities like Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Kisangani into allotment gardens.
> The aim is to produce fresh vegetables - and extra income - for 16 000
> participating families, or roughly 80 000 people.² Website:
> http://allafrica.com/stories/200702010854.html
>
> :: Tens of thousands of Mexican farmers and trade unionists have joined a
> march in Mexico City to protest against the rising price of tortillas. The
> price of the flat corn bread, the main source of calories for many poor
> Mexicans, recently rose by over 400%. (From news.bbc.co.uk). Website:
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6319093.stm
>
> :: Dozens of street children have invaded a five-star hotel food tent and
> feasted on meals meant for sale at the World Social Forum in Kenya's capital.
> The hungry children were joined by other participants who complained that the
> food was too expensive at the annual anti-capitalist get together. (From
> news.bbc.co.uk) Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6295633.stm
>
>
> ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> ACTION: Stop Amendments That Would Cut Farm Workers from the Minimum Wage
> (From UFW via Frank Tamborello at Hunger Action Los Angeles)
>
> Last week, the House approved legislation (Fair Minimum Wage Act) to increase
> the minimum wage over two years to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour. Now the
> bill has moved on to the senate, and is in jeopardy because anti-worker
> Senators are trying to attach proposals to the minimum wage bill that would be
> so harmful they would kill the bill. Sen. Chambliss' (R-GA) newly introduced
> amendments will affect all farm workers by turning back the clock to the pre
> 1966 days when migrant farm workers were excluded from minimum wage
> protections. This will of course have the corresponding effect of driving down
> wages for all farm workers--domestic, in addition to foreign. ACTION: There's
> still time to put these poison pills back in their bottle, though. The Senate
> can simply vote on a "clean bill"--a bill without these biased anti-worker
> add-ons--and give America's working people the raise they desperately need. Go
> to: http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/minwage_chambliss/7wsgixzhjxn5e7?
>
>
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> Member Announcements ­ jobs, events, alerts and more....
>
> :: Announcing the first annual Farm and Food Photo Contest! Do you believe
> that food can be a force for positive social change? Do you have the photos to
> prove it? Submit your best pictures to reap/sow and help us to illustrate the
> world you wish to create. Our revolution might not be televised, but it is
> being photographed! Entries will be featured in a photo gallery in an upcoming
> edition of reap/sow. Photographs must be submitted with a short caption that
> (a) identifies the photographer and location of the photo, and (b) briefly
> explains what the photo means with a sentence or two, a quote, or even a short
> poem. We're looking for photos that show the many aspects of this movement:
> the inspiration, the humor, the unexpected, the creative, the joy, the sweat,
> and the beauty. Photos will be judged in these categories. We welcome
> submissions by people of all ages, although all photos must be by, for, or
> about the youngest generation-those 30 and under. If you are over 30, your
> photo should feature youth and young adults or you should explain in your
> caption why your photo is one that you want young people to see. There is no
> limit to how many photos one person can enter. Email photos, contact info, and
> caption to Rowan Dunlap at rdunlap [at] thefoodproject.org.
>
> :: EcoVillage Earth Day/Spring Festival ** SAVE THE DATE ** Saturday, April
> 21, 2007. Join them in: Thanking and honoring our collaborative partners and
> sponsors, Sharing EcoVillage vision, A healthy delicious ³EcoVillage Cuisine
> from the Garden to the Table² luncheon, Participate in 10 ­ 12 different
> Environmental and Social Justice workshops for youth of all ages (8-80 years),
> Plus lots of fun and recreational activities! Mark your Calendar Now! They¹re
> expecting youŠ
>
> :: FREE San Diego Food Justice Conference, Saturday, March 3rd ³Growing a
> Local Movement² @ City College, San Diego, California. Cultivating Food
> Justice: Growing a Local Movement is an all day conference and festival filled
> with both hands-on/experiential workshops and topic-related panels exploring
> more broad food security concerns. There will also be music, kids
> activities/daycare, speakers, garden tours, and of course, food! Keynote
> Speaker: Dolores Huerta. The event is sponsored by San Diego Food Not Lawns,
> City College World Cultures Department, and the California Food and Justice
> Coalition. This is a FREE event. For more information and to RSVP email
> sdfoodnotlawns [at] gmail.com or call Ellee Igoe at (619) 641-7510 x 234
>
> :: Job Announcement - Farm to Institution Program Coordinator The Center for
> Food & Justice, a division of the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute at
> Occidental College, is hiring a Farm to Institution Program Coordinator. The
> Program Coordinator will have the primary responsibilities of assessing the
> potential for linking local Southern California farmers with institutions such
> as schools, colleges, and hospitals. They will work to identify a local farmer
> base to supply produce to Southern California institutions; work with farmers
> and institutions to create a model produce distribution structure; increase
> farmer awareness of institutional markets; promote local and sustainable food
> purchasing among institutions; offer technical assistance to institutions;
> develop publications and information materials; serve as program manager; and
> fulfill grant reporting requirements, grant writing, and fundraising. Website:
> http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/jobs.htm. Send resumes to: resumes [at] oxy.edu
>
> :: Nutrition Internship w/ Los Angeles Community Design Center (LACDC) LACDC
> is a non-profit design and development organization that provides affordable
> housing to families and individuals throughout the Los Angeles and surrounding
> regions. The Resident and Community Services Group implements and oversees
> social service programs that will enhance and support a holistic and healthy
> lifestyle for the individuals and families in our developments. This is a 4-6
> month internship (negotiable). There is no compensation attached to the
> position. This is an opportunity to gain experience with nutrition and
> education in an affordable housing environment and after school environment.
> Apply: Send resume and cover letter to Los Angeles Community Design Center:
> Attn: Leila Kumar, Community Services Coordinator, 701 East Third Street,
> Suite 400: Los Angeles, CA 90013: Fax (213) 627-6407
> E-mail: lkumar [at] lacdc.com.
>
> :: Growing Power Offers Urban Agriculture Training: Growing Power is offering
> a training program for individuals and families who want to participate in
> urban agriculture. Growing Power¹s Commercial Sustainable Urban Agriculture
> program will assist you to manage your own farming business, while allowing
> you to learn on-site, and actually practice the hands-on skills needed to
> profitably farm in the city. The course is a series of five weekend seminars,
> January through May of 2007 and will take place at Growing Power¹s training
> facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information and to apply for the
> 2007 training, call 414-527-1546 or e-mail will [at] growingpower.org
>
>
>
> If you have an announcement for next month¹s newsletter, please email it to
> info [at] CAFoodJustice.org.
>
> ************************************************
> The California Food and Justice Coalition is a statewide membership coalition
> committed to the basic human right to healthy food while advancing social,
> agricultural and environmental justice. We are partners of the national
> Community Food Security Coalition, and collaborate with community-based
> efforts in California working to create a socially just, ecologically and
> economically sustainable food supply. We envision a California food system in
> which all activities, from farm to table, are equitable, healthful,
> sustainable, and community-driven.
>
> California Food and Justice Coalition c/o CFSC
> P.O. Box 209, Venice, CA 90294 ® 310-822-5410 ® FAX 310-822-1440
>
> email: info [at] CAFoodJustice.org