WHAT WE'VE DONE - Santa Barbara County Food Action Network

Since 2020, SBCFAN has been working along the Central Coast to convene local stakeholders, advocate for effective policy, and build trust across our regional food system. This connective work is at the heart of building a network, and it takes time to build trust. Through our connections, we have seen many initiatives begun and realized, and each of these efforts brings us closer to a sustainable food system.

2026

Moving at the Speed of Trust: Progress on the Meat Processing Hub

In 2021, we set out to bring USDA-inspected meat processing to the Central Coast. Here’s how we got from a working group to a nonprofit-government partnership at FCC Lompoc, and what’s in place now.

Food Security, Local Economy, Workforce Development

Community of Practice Becomes Central Coast Food Commons

A regional collaborative connecting food system partners across the Central Coast; sharing resources, aligning priorities, and building lasting community-driven resilience for the region’s food system.

Environmental Impact, Food Security, Local Economy

2025

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

Catalyst Pre Development Funding Award – Community of Practice

A $190,000 California Jobs First grant funding a regional Food System Network Coordinator and industry cluster facilitators across the Central Coast.

Blue Economy, Local Economy, Workforce Development

2024

SBCFAN Strategic Plan 2024-2026

The network’s first strategic plan includes shared regional vision, values, and priorities.

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

Small Farmer, Rancher & Fisherfolk Forum

The first of its kind in California: a day of networking, learning, and resources for the Central Coast's small-scale farmers, ranchers, and fisherfolk, co-hosted with EconAlliance.

Blue Economy, Land Access, Local Economy

Community of Practice Petition: Putting Food Systems in the Regional Plan

Download the Full Uplift report here: Central-Coast-UPLIFT-Regional-Plan-Part-II Download the Executive Summary here: UPLIFT Executive Summary Report

Blue Economy, Environmental Impact, 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

2023

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

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

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