Alleviating Food Deserts in the Valley of Plenty

Roughly 30 million Americans—about 1 in 10—live in food desert communities without adequate access to healthy and nutritious food. Ironically, this disparity exists in the northern San Joaquin Valley which is located in one of the richest agricultural regions in the nation. Over the last decade, increased awareness of this reality has spurred national and local efforts to expand healthy food access, particularly in low-income communities. This free seminar will offer fresh perspectives on understanding and addressing food-access issues by sharing proven best practices and identifying resources and low cost financing to assist providers interested in addressing this issue in their communities.

Who should attend? Individuals and representatives from organizations interesting in addressing this disparity in addition to policy makers, academics and interested parties who want to learn more about how to improve conditions in our region.

Questions to be addressed

What do the data show on low- and moderate-income consumers’ needs and behaviors regarding healthy food?
What programs and approaches have proven to be most successful?
What factors are most important for addressing this issue over the next five years?

Speakers

Catherine Howard – Director of Strategic Initiatives, Northern California Community Loan Fund
Olivia Rebanal – Director of Loan Programs, Capital Impact Partners
Jeremy Terhune – Founder, PUENTES, Boggs Tract Community Farm, Stockton, California
Don Bergman – Founder, Make Someone Happy, Mobile Food Program, Merced, California

Sponsors

• Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
• Great Valley Center