PRESS :: Releases

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Contacts: Judith Redmond, (530) 796-2214
Dave Runsten, (530) 756-8518 x 25

Michelle Wyler

Community Alliance with Family Farmers takes root in Humboldt County!

DAVIS (June 2, 2006)

The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) was founded in 1978 to promote sustainable agriculture practices, to educate the public about family farming’s important role in society, and to promote the consumption of fresh minimally-processed fruits and vegetables. CAFF has two primary programs: the Biological Agriculture Program works to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture; and the Community Food Systems Program seeks to reconnect local farmers with the region’s food consumers.

CAFF has also successfully collaborated with policy groups and national food initiatives to increase public awareness of food systems issues and improve and promote access to fresh, locally grown produce. CAFF has close connections to the farming community in the largest farming state in the U.S., working directly with farmers to improve air quality and preserve irreplaceable farmlands and wetlands.

Humboldt County recently joined forces with the larger CAFF effort by establishing a Humboldt County CAFF chapter. The Humboldt chapter is focusing on two projects:  Community Food Systems Education to raise awareness of local food production through events, newsletters, media campaigns and farm to school activities; and Market Development to increase the economic viability of our local farmers. Humboldt recently received funding from the Co-op Community Fund and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program to further develop local school and institutional marketing oppertunities. In addition, the Humboldt County Farm to School program is the proud recipant of three more years of California Nutrition Network funding that will enable them to continue teaching low-resourced students about their food system and the importance of a healthy diet through hands on educational fun. By establishing a local CAFF chapter, Humboldt County will be joining forces with other chapters across the state to strengthen producer-consumer connections.

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