The Water Connection: State Policies and the Impact on Local Food Systems

Experts on what the growing water shortage means for Californians

Juliet Christian-Smith, Senior Research Associate, Pacific Institute
Dave Runsten, Executive Director, Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Mike Wade, Executive Director, California Farm Water Coalition
Barry Nelson, Lead Water Campaigner, National Resources Defense Council

Water, our most valuable resource other than soil for producing food, is becoming increasingly limited in California. Our panel of experts will discuss water systems, challenges of future shortages for agriculture, as well as policies and actions to create solutions that are garnering awareness and increasing water use efficiency in food production.

This program is part of Eat Local Month in the Bay Area. October is harvest time as well as Eat Local Month in the Bay Area. In one of the most abundant local food economies in the country, we are fortunate to be able to take one month and devote it to the sensations of the season. In celebration of this nationwide movement, The Commonwealth Club is hosting a series of timely programs on the social, economic and environmental benefits of supporting local food producers.

In addition to inviting people to eat locally grown foods as much as possible during October (visit http://www.eatlocalsf.org for more details), the planned four-part series at The Commonwealth Club will include three seminars, including how local governments are affected (October 1); how water is challenging our local food supply (October 8), and how advocates for healthier eating are affecting the local-foods equation (October 22). In addition, the Club will sponsor a panel of experts at the Ferry Building (October 15) discussing how farmers and professional chefs are collaborating to build stronger and more sustainable communities; this panel discussion will be accompanied by a tasting of local food and wine.

Eat Local Month is brought to you by The Commonwealth Club Bay Gourmet Forum in association with Eat Local SF, Community Alliance for Family Farmers, and Buy Fresh Buy Local.