Help Represent the Central Coast in the RFSI Infrastructure Mapping Project!

Hello Central Coast Food Commons Community of Practice and Food Hub Industry Cluster members, 

There is still time for members of the Central Coast food system, including producers, food hubs, processors, distributors, and technical assistance organizations, to contribute to California’s Regional Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) planning effort. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in partnership with Roots of Change and othersFresh Approach, is collecting information to better understand existing food system infrastructure, identify gaps, and inform future investments that strengthen the middle of the food supply chain. 

This statewide effort focuses on infrastructure that supports the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food. By completing the project surveys, you’ll help ensure that the Central Coast’s infrastructure, needs, and opportunities are reflected in this assessment. 

Whether you are a producer, food hub, processor, distributor, or technical assistance provider, we encourage you to complete the surveys below: 

Existing Infrastructure Survey (approximately 6–8 minutes) – for producers and middle-of-the-supply-chain businesses.  

Finance & Needs Assessment Survey (approximately 20 minutes) – for producers, middle-of-the-supply-chain businesses, and technical assistance organizations. 

Producers who complete both surveys will receive a $50 stipend. 

Please note that information collected in the Finance & Needs Assessment Survey will not be displayed publicly or attributed to individual respondents. It will be used only in aggregate to inform the statewide gap analysis. 

You can also explore the interactive infrastructure map to see the information collected thus far. 

Your participation will help ensure that the needs, opportunities, and infrastructure assets of the Central Coast are reflected in this important statewide effort and can help inform future investments in our regional food system. 

Thank you! 

Deborah Yashar