The Kern County Food system Assessment is the product of collaboration among a broad range of stakeholders across the food system in Kern County, including farmers, retailers, consumers, public health and social service and agriculture professionals, educators, advocates, policymakers, regulators, and more. It is intended to serve as a catalyst for collaborative learning, relationship building, and community-based policy development to strengthen Kern County’s food system.
In May of 2015, the Kern Food Policy Council (KFPC) asked the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) to work with them to conduct a food system assessment in Kern County.
The purpose of this assessment was to collect quantitative trend data that would help the KFPC better understand current conditions, set priorities, and develop opportunities for partnerships and action. The food system assessment was funded through United Way of Kern County, with contributions from regional agricultural businesses and philanthropists.