Food Education Equity and Diversity (FEED) Coalition

The FEED Coalition, a growing partnership of area non-profits, schools, community groups, government agencies and local residents, guides and creates appropriate collaborative relationships to implement community food security projects within Sacramento.

The Coalition’s mission is to improve access to nutritious, affordable, locally produced food. The coalition was initially formed through a common interest of the founding members in improving the overall community health of the Del Paso Heights/Strawberry Manor area of Sacramento. Focused primarily on healthy food access within Del Paso Heights, the FEED Coalition initiated and continues to support three projects within the Del Paso Heights neighborhood:

The Del Paso Heights Community Farmers’ Market and Community Farms

The Farmers Market, supported almost entirely by farmers who live and grow in the neighborhood, provides much needed access to healthy, affordable, locally produced food from June through October.

Grant High School’s Environmental Organization (GEO)

GEO engages youth in entrepreneurial garden and environmental stewardship projects where they develop skills and knowledge to obtain employment, access to higher education, improve their health and actively contribute to their community.

The Coalition recently received funding to begin creating a community kitchen located directly adjacent to the school garden to be used for hands-on youth and adult cooking/nutrition classes (scheduled to be completed by February of 2008).

The Stone Soup Community Gardens

The gardens are wonderful places to grow food and friendships. Our network of 3 (soon to be 4) community gardens provide an opportunity for families to grow fresh, culturally appropriate produce, saving them thousands of dollars a year.

Building upon the successes and knowledge gained through the projects in the Del Paso Heights area, the coalition is currently looking to expand active membership and strengthen is role in creating sustainable food access projects throughout Sacramento.

Current FEED Coalition members include:
Soil Born Farms
Health Education Council
Mutual Assistance Network of Del Paso Heights
Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance
Sacramento County WIC
Sacramento Area Community Garden Coalition
City of Sacramento
Sacramento Hunger Commission
Grant High School GEO Project

For more information and to get involved, please contact Randy Stannard at rstannard@soilborn.org.