Introduction

Soil Born Farms is dedicated to changing our Sacramento food system by increasing the availability of high quality, locally produced food for all segments of the Sacramento community. We do this by growing certified organic vegetables and fruits on two urban farms located within Sacramento County, supporting existing and new local farmers, developing and promoting innovative food access programs and educating youth and adults about healthy lifestyle choices.

What is Food Access?

Soil Born Farms defines the term food access as: Individuals have the resources, financial or other, necessary to supply themselves and their family with the food needed for a healthy and vibrant lifestyle.Constraints which limit the ability of an individual to access food include:

Awareness and education: Basic nutritional information and understanding of the direct relationship between diet and personal health.

Sufficient quality of food: Whole or minimally processed, non-sprayed, fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains (preferably locally produced).

Affordability: Food prices allow for purchasing of high quality, nutritious foods within a weekly food budget; alternative purchasing options are available: EBT, WIC, work-trade.

Proximity: Food outlets are located near housing and/or employment; any mode of transportation (car, bike, mass transit, walking) is a viable option to access food.

Culturally appropriate food options: Food items which are typically used in traditional day-to-day cooking.

Food preparation knowledge and skills: Ability to prepare fresh and nutritious meals within cost and time limitations of an individual’s lifestyle.

What is a Food System?

The food system includes all processes involved in feeding our population: production, processing, distribution and consumption. This system can refer to any geographic area such as a neighborhood or larger-city, county, state, region, or country. Although we label some of our work as “local food access projects” they inherently involve all aspects of our food system. Moreover, Soil Born Farms’ food system work focuses on the Greater Sacramento area, but is similarly impacted by and is a part of the larger food system that expands out to the entire country and beyond. This concept lends itself to the motto, “Think globally, act locally.” The more we understand as individuals and as a community about how our food system works (and doesn’t work), the better our ability to facilitate and create change towards the end goal of a healthy and vibrant community.

Goals for our Sacramento food system:

• Improved health (reduction of chronic/acute diseases)
• Consumption patterns are increasingly based on the seasonality of Sacramento
• Food access for all
• Stable base of local farms and farmers
• Sustainable dynamic relationships between producer and consumer (more direct relationships, shorter travel distances for both, conservation of resources)
• Food and agriculture-based businesses that support the production and consumption of locally produced products
• Increased public participation in food and agricultural policies

Learn more about our specific food access projects:

• Weekly Food Boxes (CSA)
• Del Paso Heights Community Farmers’ Market (project of the FEED Coalition)
• Urban Produce Stands
• Head Start Farm Stands
• Restaurants and retail outlets
• Farm to School