This page represents current major areas of research and extension for the UCCE Capitol Corridor Food Systems Program. 

• Food Assistance at Certified Farmers' Markets
• Value-Added Food Production
• On-Farm Direct-Marketing: Farm Stands & More
• Food Policy and Food Systems Groups
• Public Funding for Food Systems

Food Assistance at Certified Farmers' Markets

This program area provides original research, workshops and one-on-on support services to farmers' market managers and vendors related to the use of food assistance programs at certified markets. Previous collaborators include the California Department of Food & Agriculture, California Department of Public Health and local WIC offices. 

Selected Materials

• Research Summary: Sacramento Region Farmers' Market Study (May 2025)
• Benefits Summary: Explanation of Food Assistance Programs (May 2025)
• Workshop Slides: Research on CalFresh & Other Nutrition Assistance Programs at Farmers’ Markets (February 2025)

Value-Added Food Production

This program area focuses on regulatory and business technical assistance for small farmers and food entrepreneurs. Workshops on cottage food production and navigating regulatory pathways are offered at least annually. Ongoing research efforts include a statewide survey of cottage food operators. 

Selected Materials

• Workshop Slides: Cottage Food Production for Small Farms (December 2025)

Tools

• The Value-Added Profitability Calculator is an Excel spreadsheet designed to help specialty crop producers consider how various factors influence the profitability of a value-added product. 

Co-Packers for Small Farmers

• The following are examples of co-packing services in the Sacramento region that have worked with small growers to manufacture private label products with local produce. Inclusion in this list does not represent an endorsement from the University of California.
  • Mad Will's Food Company (Auburn)
  • NorCal Sauce Worx (Sacramento)
  • Sun & Cellar (Colfax)

On-Farm Direct Marketing: Farm Stands & More

This program area provides localized research and individual assistance to growers related to on-farm direct marketing practices and agritourism activities, often in collaboration with local jurisdictions. 

Selected Materials: 

• Guide: Permitting a farm stand in Solano County (July 2025)
• Workshop Slides: Creating Agritourism Policy: Lessons from Three California Counties (October 2024)

Food Policy & Food Systems Groups

This program area provides research information and capacity to various food policy and food systems groups in the Sacramento region. Groups include: 

• Solano Local Food System Alliance
• Yolo Food Security Coalition
• Sacramento Food Policy Council
• Placer Food Security Coalition
• Nevada County Food Policy Council

Public Funding for Food Systems

This program area is focused on research around the public funding landscape for post-harvest food systems coordination. In partnership with the Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Henry created and maintains a map and database which catalogues several public grant programs' investments in food systems in the Sacramento region, with an emphasis on post-farm gate activities such as processing, aggregation and distribution. Please click here to see the dashboard, last updated September 2025. 

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