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Objective 2.J
Adopt a sustainability certification system tied to market opportunities that entices purchasers and quells regulators.

Proposed Places to Start for 2008:    
1.    Support the creation of a procurement scorecard for benchmarking sustainability. Seek funding to support the work of NRDC, CAFF, BAM to develop an umbrella “scorecard” that measures the performance of many certification programs, providing comparable scores for food buyers to use in benchmarking the sustainability of their own food procurement.  The availability of a credible “gold standard,” clear metrics, and many market-place choices has great potential to facilitate large scale procurement of sustainable foods, benefiting eco-certifiers, buyers, farmer stewards, consumers, communities, workers and the environment. Use this system to link sustainable buyers and premium growers.  
2.    Form a CRAE type roundtable where agriculture, environmentalists retail and distribution can work together to agree to the environmental and social standards for a statewide sustainability certification program (such as a “California Star” program), using an incremental approach.

Potential Future Actions for 2009-2012:
3.    70 Percent Compliance sustainability certification standards by 2030. From 2010-2012, provide initial foundation support for 2 non-profit organizations that work to build markets and market relationships for certified California Star products.  These NGO’s would lobby for federal investment through WTO green box-compliant U.S. Farm Bill allocations for farmers transitioning to compliance with California sustainability certification. As well as engage agricultural and environmental leaders in finding new state or local funding sources that can help producers comply with emerging environmental regulations and promote a California sustainability certification program.
 
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