The Community Food Security Symposium — UC's first conference to explore the relationships among agriculture, hunger and community-based food systems — took place Oct. 10 and 11 at UC Berkeley. “I'm particularly pleased that many of the Division's programs are working closely with the community to develop innovative approaches to these critical issues,” says UC Vice President Reg Gomes.

The purpose of the symposium was to share information among the University, government agencies and community groups, in order to develop community-based solutions, with agriculture as a critical link. The UC Food Security Workgroup, which organized the symposium, includes UC Cooperative Extension, UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) and USDA.

Symposium participants discussed programs linking small farmers with school lunch programs; community gardening projects; farmers' markets and food stamps; and hunger in low-income communities ( see pages 8 , 10 , 40 , 47 ).

“UC can help consumers understand the benefits of nutritious, locally produced food, which in turn helps create markets for small farmers,” says Gail Feenstra UC SAREP food systems analyst.

UC is working to link area farmers with school lunch programs.