| North Bay Food and Farms Forum, September 8th In-person With Assembly Candidates in Petaluma |
| Interfaith Food is co-sponsoring the North Bay Food and Farms Forum to raise the profile of food access and sustainable agriculture issues in the minds of our local Legilsator-to-be. Join the progressive food and agricultural community as we get to know the two candidates for the 12th District state assembly seat, Sara Aminzadeh and Damon Connolly–running to represent Marin and Southern Sonoma County–in this non-partisan, educational forum. The winner of this race will have a large, and long-term impact on state policies that directly impact our local farms, food system, farm workers, land, water, environment and communities. This is our chance to educate the candidates on the issues most important to us with two-way dialogue. Please share this with members of your faith community and others interested in the food and farming advocacy. The event is free and open to the public, starting with an informal reception with food followed by a Q&A session with the candidates. RSVP is appreciated. EVENT CO-SPONSORS include: Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Roots of Change, Agricultural Institute of Marin, California Food & Farming Network, North Bay Jobs with Justice, Agricultural Community Events, Lideres Campesinas, Marin Food Policy Council, and Sonoma County Food System Alliance. |
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| From the Executive Director |
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| I’ve been catching up following a year like no other, coming on the heels of the worst of the COVID Pandemic. The last several months have been filled with transitions mirroring the beautiful, dynamic rhythms of the land. We have seen staff changes including the departure of super-VISTA Megan Zywicz who moved back home to Contra Costa County. Personally, I’ve had a chance to refocus my work with Interfaith Food following a campaign, and the blessing of a trip to Israel with my family in July. At home on my small farm I’ve cleared land to reduce fire risk, and tried to keep up with the bounty of peaches and apples while wondering if a real berry crop will ever arrive to support all the pie making. Our staff team has been working with over 20 partner groups in Marin, Sonoma and Alameda counties to help low-income seniors access free produce at Farmers Marekts. We are on track to distribute over $100,000 in Senior Farmers Market Bonus Bucks between the end of July of September! We did targeted direct mailings to over 600 religious institutions/faith-based groups with landholdings that may be suitable for farm leases in the greater Bay Area. Looking forward, this is expected to lead to a bounty of fresh, more focused work on faith lands. I’m excited that we are co-sponsoring the North Bay Food and Farm Forum – (see above). This is the first forum of it’s kind in Sonoma and Marin counties and a direct positive, result of the work I was doing during my personal time in Winter and Spring (See December newsletter article). Interfaith Food is hiring two staff positions: Outreach and Advocacy Program Associate; and a Communications and Reporting Associate. Both positions include: health insurance, paid vacation and a contribution to a retirement account. Positions are based in Sebastopol and are open until filled. Interested in joining our team, or know someone who may be. Learn more here. Thank you for all you do!  |
| Mini-Grants! We can assist with accessing resources for your congregational garden project such as hand tools, seeding trays, row cover, shade cloth, or watering timers. We can also help with building new garden infrastructure or improvements such as raised beds, or composting bins. Your congregation may be eligible to receive a mini-grant of $500 or more for operating or infrastructure costs. We can also assist with planning, coordinating, and limited hands-on work as well. |
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| | | | USDA Extends Deadline for Farmers to Apply for Emergency Relief Applications Since Fall 2021, Interfaith Food has worked to help local farmers, especially underserved, Black, Indigenous, LatinX and Asian farmers be aware of opportunities to secure resources from the US Department of Agriculture. USDA recently extended the deadline for applications for Emergency Relief Program, please share this with appropriate people in your community and feel free to call our office if we can provide assistance. Funding can benefit farmers effected by disasters as far back as 2020 and 2021. Last month the deadline was extended indefinitely for producers to return the pre-filled applications for Phase One of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). A new deadline will be announced after the last Phase One applications are mailed and provide at least 30 days following the mailing. For more info: USDA Emergency Relief |
| | | Join Our Team at Interfaith Food! Interfaith Food is hiring for two professional positions based in Sonoma County: Outreach and Policy Associate; and a Communications and Reporting Associate. Both include medical benefits, a retirement contribution and paid vacation. Interested individuals should contact Steve@interfaithfood.org for full position descriptions. In addition, we are recruiting an Americorps*VISTA position to start in Fall 2022. Also we are looking for nominees for our Advisory Board and volunteer committees. If you are interested please contact our Director. |
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| Calendar of Upcoming Events! |
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| Interfaith Food Sponsored Events September 8th - North Bay Food and Farms Forum Interfaith Food 2022 Conference -Look for updates soon! |
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Events Organized by Others 9/7 The People's Food and Farm Project is building a coalition and campaign for a new Bay Area bioregional governance entity for food sovereignty that is accountable to and will lift up our communities and food and farm workers! Virtual roundtable discussion on Wednesday, September 7th from 10am-12pm 9-10 Black Food Summit, In-person San Francisco and Pescadero 9/13 Marin City Jobs and Resource Fair, Marin City HYBRID 9/17-18 Soil Not Oil Conference, Petaluma, In-person 9/29 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. HYBRID (Contact Interfaith Food for Details.) |
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| | | Contact Us info@interfaithfood.com | 707-634-4672 |
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| Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative
101 Morris St. Suite 212 | Sebastopol, California 95472
707-634-4672 | info@interfaithfood.com |
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