Food Security in Our Food System

Food security means everyone has reliable access to enough good food. Across the Central Coast, too many households don’t. Some neighborhoods, including communities the USDA calls food deserts, have few places to buy fresh food at all. That is more than a hunger problem. Our food system is a key component of national security. A region that can feed its own people is a more resilient one. SBCFAN backs community-led solutions: food hubs, mobile markets, and funding for local food justice and food sovereignty.

Case Study: Connecting Food Hubs to Middle Chain Infrastructure

It started with a healthy refrigeration grant and grew from there. Meet the community-driven food hub bringing fresh food and connection to Saticoy, a Ventura County community designated by the USDA as a food desert.

Environmental Impact, Food Security, Land Access

Community Kitchens Hub

A public directory and toolkit covering 13 community kitchens across Santa Barbara County, with permit and equipment guidance for food entrepreneurs.

Food Security, Local Economy

Connecting Farmers to Funding

How SBCFAN’s state-level advocacy connected local farmers to federal funding for charitable feeding programs

Food Security, Local Economy

Designing A Self-Sustaining Meat Processing Hub

A USDA-inspected meat processing facility built in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Prisons — giving Central Coast ranchers an affordable path to market and creating job training opportunities along the way.

Food Security, Local Economy, Workforce Development

Food Justice Grants Awarded

A new fund, seeded by community partner Clevr Blends, puts resources directly into local food justice, food sovereignty, and agroecology projects.

Food Security, Land Access

Helping the Community of Practice to Select Priorities

With the guidance of SBCFAN and CAFPC, Central Coast stakeholders polled and ranked the region's top shared food system priorities, from farmland access to nutrition incentives to community kitchens.

Food Security, Land Access, Local Economy
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