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Who Cares about San Diego Food and Farms? Report from ROC’s Feb. 19 Community Meeting in San Diego
March 17, 2008
Charlene Orszag, ROC Planning Fellow, Co-Founder, Tierra Miguel Foundation

Obviously, a lot of people do!  Over 100 energized caretakers of the local food system came together on February 19 to chew on San Diego food issues at Roots of Change’s San Diego Community Meeting.

The best news was the number of interests represented- from farmer to retailer- and the clear desire for an integrated regional food systems goal.  A county that spreads over 4,500 square miles, San Diego’s multiple micro-climates make for a majority of family-owned, small farms that serve specialty and organic markets.  With big city populations, suburbia, and some remaining rural areas, San Diego’s diversity is its strength, but also presents some challenges in pulling together the many parts and people it takes to make a comprehensive- and sustainable- food system. 


The program was short, but sweet.  After introductions from Roots of Change’s President, Michael Dimock, and several Roots of Change Stewardship Council members, five co-hosts introduced their organizations. The San Diego Farm Bureau’s Director, Eric Larson, painted a picture of the wealth of products growing in the county and the development pressures on agricultural lands.  Beth Ann Levendoski, president of non-profit Tierra Miguel Foundation and Farm, outlined TMF’s efforts to provide a demonstration farm, support land conservation, and educate about health, food and farming. Peggy Lauer, Executive Director of WELL Network and Steve Eldred from The California Endowment echoed  the need to work together to carry the message, and to weave health efforts into sustainable food system efforts.  Scott Murray, Slow Food San Diego and youth program coordinator, encouraged opportunities for young people in farming.  

I spoke last.  I was eager to convey the impact that the 2007 ROC Fellowship program I shared with advocates from all over California had on me.  I was excited to cheer for the opportunities that exist among producers, markets, consumers, health folks, chefs, agency and school people…and which we don’t always see on a daily basis. I was especially excited about the role of cooperatives, and in San Diego, the leadership that Ocean Beach People’s Coop consistently exhibits.

The discussion was then opened to the participants of the meeting, who were asked - what are the challenges currently facing San Diego’s food system?  Where are the opportunities?  Many of the challenges were obvious- the imminent water shortage, the pressure on farmers, the loss of land, the challenges that exist being so close to the Mexican border, the disconnect between our consumers and our food system.  Many of the opportunities are obvious, too- the need for new and more numerous collaborations, concrete education programs for kids, marketing and distribution opportunities for small farmers, supportive programs that increase the health of our children and communities.  

The question is… what the heck do we do with these ideas?

That’s where Roots of Change came in, loaded with hard-won research and consensus findings. Michael Dimock, and Stewardship Council members Larry Yee and Sylvia Drew Ivie introduced the recently announced 5-year strategies for statewide action. For those of you who haven’t taken a look at the California Campaign Strategy for Food Farming and Fisheries, simply click here.  You will find a comprehensive look at the State’s food system, and ways we can begin unifying to move towards sustainability.  

What remarkable possibilities San Diego has!  Localization and coordination of activity can bring health to small, struggling farms, chances for new young farmers to get educated, and the availability of lively, working agricultural environments for the benefit of the children and the community.  (BTW, San Diego’s environmental advocates have taken major steps in recognizing the value of “buffer” farmlands, thanks to Emily Young and the San Diego Foundation.)

What’s next?  Immediately after ROC’s San Diego Community Reception, calls came in asking when our next meeting would take place.  Tierra Miguel Foundation is working to move on the next steps along with others.  Please help us organize the next San Diego meeting!

I can’t overstate the importance of gathering to share our needs and plans to build common working ground.  We won’t let Northern California forget San Diego and its amazing contribution to California agriculture!

New ROC Fellows will be selected in June…watch for application forms.  To contact Charlene Orszag, simply email her at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it




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