Roots of Change began with a conversation between about a dozen national- and California-based public and private grant makers in 1999. This discussion focused on the following question:
Why isn't the food system sustainable?
Over the last twenty years, many of these foundations have put considerable resources into helping spur the sustainable food and farming objectives. While many acknowledge the strides that have been made and the growth of a successful niche industry, they were not satisfied with the pace of change.
Together they founded the Roots of Change Fund, cumulatively contributing $2,400,000.00 over the last six years to pursue a collaborative strategy for food systems change. They formed a top-level group of food and farming experts, the Roots of Change Council, which advised developing a bold and comprehensive vision that would move the current niche sustainable food system to the mainstream.
ROC began this initial visioning phase in 2003, which resulted in the Vivid Picture Project's New Mainstream vision for a sustainable food system for California by 2030. Concurrently, ROC funded the work of two programs that focused on building leadership and cohesion at both the county and State levels.
The Fund commissioned three initial projects:
1. The Vivid Picture Project: in 2004, ROC commissioned Ecotrust to create a comprehensive vision for a sustainable food system for California that addresses multiple aspects of the system including:
- Access to quality food for all people in California;
- Economic vitality for regional producers, manufacturers, distributors and purveyors;
- Personal health, wellbeing and community-building through food and nutrition;
- Natural resources used well and fairly so that their usefulness can be maintained in perpetuity; and
- Enhancement of regional and cultural identities throughout California.
For more information about the Vivid Picture Project click here .
2. AG Futures Alliances (AFA)
: In early 2004, ROC commissioned Ag Innovations Network to develop county-based leadership networks and consensus-building roundtables throughout the state. Each AFA works to ensure that agriculture, community, and the environment will thrive indefinitely. Additionally, this program created networks that connect and strengthen California-based organizations and individuals that have an interest in developing sustainable food systems. The networks have three primary goals:
- Enhance the capability of leaders and organizations;
- Increase their visibility and credibility; and
- Strengthen the influence of these leaders and organizations through collaborative work to achieve policies that will support sustainable food systems.
For more information about the AFA's click here .
3. The California Roundtable on Agriculture and the Environment (CRAE)
: in 2004, ROC supported NRDC in the foundation of this broad coalition of agricultural, environmental, and public agency leaders working to promote agriculture in California that is economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. CRAE primarily works at the policy level, providing information and perspective to state and federal legislators and regulators.
For more information about the CRAE click here .
To view the original 2003 RFP's for the above projects click here.
What's Happening Now?
The vision for California's food system will continue to naturally grow and develop. The effort to create such a vision is an on-going task; by its very nature it is constantly incorporating new people and perspectives. ROC is actively moving the next phase of its work - a coalition building phase, by building a statewide network of leaders invested in, and capable of, creating a sustainable food system for California by 2030.
ROC is currently working to support and connect California's food system leaders in the follow ways:
1. ROC Planning Fellowships
Held annually, the ROC Planning Fellow Process brings together a cross-section of food system leaders to develop effective strategies to move the entire California food system towards sustainability. The Fellows have the ability to strengthen leadership skills and create new networks.
In the spring of 2007, ROC convened its first class of annual Planning Fellows to define and prioritize strategies that will launch a twenty-five year campaign to achieve a sustainable food system in California. These sessions are now complete. The priorities and strategies are now being honed and documented, and will be available here by late October 2007. This work will be the foundation for upcoming 2008 RFP's.
Fellows are chosen through an open application process. The 2007 PF Process was held May - June. The next PF Process will be held in the fall of 2008.
For more information about the Planning Fellowships click here.
2. The Roots Of Change Leadership Network
The Leadership Network is a learning community that supports connections, contributions and collaborations of food systems leaders from across the state. Everyone in the California food system is welcome to join.
For more information about the Leadership Network click here.
3. The California Food Systems Network
ROC is currently developing a California Food Systems Network (CFSN) that will help to connect food system leaders throughout the state. The portal will provide on-line tools for California food system leaders to connect, collaborate, and co-create - all functions to help the system learn from itself and grow.
To visit the CFSN click here .
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