The San Mateo County Food Systems Alliance and Food Day





THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
*PROCLAMATION SUPPORTING*
*The San Mateo County Food Systems Alliance and Food Day*
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*WHEREAS, the health and well-being of our residents is of primary concern in San Mateo County and food is one of the most important basic needs for human survival and health; and*

WHEREAS, in San Mateo County we see a lack of access to food, leading to hunger and therefore recognize that expanding access to food and ending hunger is of critical importance. We also see an overabundance of calorie dense, nutrition poor food, leading to obesity and recognize that reducing obesity and diet-related diseases by promoting healthy diets is a critical factor in improving overall health; and

WHEREAS, the San Mateo County Food Systems Alliance (SMFSA) has been working since 2006, as the Food Policy Council for San Mateo County, to move us towards a local, and sustainable food system, a food system that includes the chain of activities connecting food production, processing, distribution, consumption, waste management and regulations; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the SMFSA is to support, enhance, and maintain an enduring and interdependent food system that is economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially equitable, that connects people to agriculture and enhances the health of all residents and the SMFSA brings together representatives from many industries and sectors including Agriculture, Fisheries, Health, Environmental Stewardship, Government Organizations, Schools, Educational Programs, Non-Profit Organizations, Farmers Markets and Small Businesses; and

WHEREAS, the main efforts of the SMFSA have been three-fold: to increase the amount of local produce and fish that go into county institutions and businesses; to increase the number of school gardens and encourage garden-based learning using a standards-based curriculum; to increase the amount of productive farm land that is put into production; and

WHEREAS, SMFSA is promoting fish friendly farming, growing crops and harvesting fish that can be consumed locally, working with farmers and fishermen to preserve agricultural land and working waterfronts, off-stream water storage, the As Fresh As It Gets brand and marketing campaign, and supporting cities and the county to develop food polices that support a sustainable food system. SMFSA helped develop a school farm accessible to school children throughout the county.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, hereby designates October 24, 2011, as Food Day and endorses the continued efforts of the Food Systems Alliance to improve access to locally, sustainably produced and healthy food in San Mateo County.

*Dated: October 4, 2011*

		*SUPERVISORS:*
			*CAROLE GROOM, PRESIDENT*
			*DAVE PINE*
			*DON HORSLEY*
			*ROSE JACOBS GIBSON*
			*ADRIENNE J. TISSIER*

*Attest:*	*_____________________________________*
	*Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors*

PROCLAMATION SUPPORTING