Sustainable Food Systems
Initiative Themes
The Sustainable Food (and Ag) Systems Strategic Initiative (SFS SI) supports California by focusing our work on our total food (and intensive ag) systems; bringing good science and outreach to bear on key areas related to:
- Sustainable production
- Safe processing
- Enhanced access
Advancing this work requires new scientific and technological innovations across both agriculture and nutrition.
Public Value: The SFS SI helps build our state economy, protect our natural resources, builds capacity of our people and communities and helps ensure we have safe food.
Our Strategic Initiatives help unify, communicate and advocate for the work we do.
Grand Challenges
The SFS SI panel support this work by bringing a broad spectrum of expertise and practice to help identify key emerging issues. SFS emerging issues within each Focal area include:
- Sustainable Production: Labor scarcity; Dealing with regulatory requirements; Water - quantity and quality; Farm Prices; Climate change; Emerging pests
- Safe Food Processing: Food safety and Food Preservation
- Enhanced Food Access: Food deserts and cost; Changing food preferences; Food access and security for aging seniors
An additional concern is maintaining the capacity to develop and deliver the information producers and consumers need to produce, process and enjoy safe food.
Impact
See UC Delivers for examples of impact in SFS. UC ANR members can share the impact of their work - it's easy. Click here to find out how.
Funding
See funding opportunities listed with UC ANR Contracts & Grants.
See Opportunity & Matching grants (small grants to help with urgent time-sensitive needs.)
Upcoming Events
My Favorite Extension Methods
hosted by the Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative Panel
March 27, 2024
11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Past Events
SFS-related Blogs
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Investments in farm-to-school program stabilize farms, expand climate-friendly farming practices
Small and midsize farms, women and BIPOC farmers especially benefit A new report reveals that California farmers participating in the...
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NPI welcomes UC Irvine graduate student Christian Black as UC Bonnie Reiss Climate Action Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellow
Christian Black joined the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California in September 2024 as our 2024-2025 UC Bonnie Reiss Climate...
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Visual ID guide from UC aids in managing new almond pest
Nut orchard hygiene key to control carpophilus beetle, say UCCE, UC Integrated Pest Management experts Since the first reports of a new almond...