Healthy Food Publications
Vision for a San Mateo County Food and Farm Bill
Recommendations for the San Mateo County Food Systems Alliance
The County of San Mateo Health System as a member of the San Mateo County Food System Alliance contracted with Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAGE) to lead research and stakeholder engagement to develop a shared vision for supporting a strong and resilient food and farm system in San Mateo County. This report is the project outcome: a vision document to guide development of a Local Food and Farm Bill that will guide County priorities and identify and allocate resources towards supporting a food and farming system that is economically viable, environmentally soun
San Mateo County Food System Alliance Strategic Plan
This strategic plan was developed in May 2016 and revised in May 2017 to guide the FSA towards developing a robust external affairs program and supporting SAGE in the development of a Food and Farm Bill Vision over the next twelve months. The ideas portrayed below were drawn from the evaluation, April meeting notes and the SMFSA Charter.
Food Insecurity in San Mateo County
Presentation to the End Hunger Work Group
How are San Mateo County residents participating in federal and state food programs? What factors impact food insecurity in San Mateo County?
An Opportunity to Promote Urban Agriculture in North Fair Oaks and San Mateo County
AB 551: Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones Act
Enacted January 1, 2014, AB 551 is a state bill that empowers California’s cities and counties to pass ordinances to create “Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones (UAIZ),” which allows landowners to receive tax incentives for dedicating land to agriculture uses.
The San Mateo County Food System Alliance Policy Committee recommends that the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors support local implementation of AB 551: Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones Act in unincorporated areas of the county. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors should adopt a ‘Resolution of Approval’ that grants cities authority to adopt and implement an UAIZ ordinance within their jurisdictions.
Sip on This Factsheet
It Shouldn’t be so Easy to Drink Sugar in San Mateo County
Reducing sugary drink consumption will prevent health problems such as diabetes and obesity in San Mateo County.
Our bodies don’t compensate for liquid calories in the same way as calories from solid food. Drinking just one or two sugary drinks a day increases the chance of developing diabetes by over 25%. Just one a day increases a child’s risk of becoming overweight or obese by 55%.5 One in three children born in 2000 is expected to develop Type 2 diabetes in his or her lifetime.
San Mateo County Food System Assessment Report
San Mateo County Food System Assessment Report (2014) gives more background on our food system trends, challenges, and opportunities.
This document shares secondary data and key findings in five major components of the food system: production, processing, distribution, consumption, and reuse/waste disposal. It describes trends, challenges, and opportunities. The San Mateo County Food System Alliance hopes that policymakers, residents, and advocates will review the programs and policies outlined in each chapter, and that these ideas will inspire action in communities across the county.
Choose Healthy Drinks Awareness Campaign
In late January 2014, Get Healthy San Mateo County launched a Choose Healthy Drinks awareness campaign. The campaign is focused on South San Francisco, San Bruno and Daly City — the three San Mateo County cities with the highest rates of obesity at 47%, 43%, and 39% respectively. San Mateo County joins our neighbors in San Francisco, Sonoma and Alameda Counties in this regional effort to educate our community about the harmful effects of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Look for these messages in Bart stations, on billboards and at corner stores!
Aggregating, Distributing, and Marketing Local Foods Feasibility Report
This report contains the results of a broad-spectrum inquiry to discover opportunities that support a thriving, locally-based food system in San Mateo County, California. Research was conducted during 2013 to identify feasible market-based strategies that could enable economically viable livelihoods for food producers and increase accessibility for consumers wishing to purchase locally produced food. The following report highlights the challenges of local food production, distribution, marketing, and purchasing, revealing insights into the range of complexities in a local food system.
Producing, Distributing, and Consuming Healthy Local Food
Ingredients for a Sustainable Food System
Why Does a Sustainable Food System Matter?
Healthy, Local Food: Ingredients for a Sustainable Food System describes the food system policies that contribute to a healthy and sustainable San Mateo County.
In 2009, San Mateo County’s agricultural production and local seafood harvest was worth $153 million. The actual impact of food production on the local economy is estimated to be much higher, at $535 million, due to a multiplier effect. Most of this food is not available to our residents. It is processed and sold outside of San Mateo County, which reduces local access to fresh and healthy roods, increases our carbon footprint and takes valuable dollars out of our community.
Learn more about our local food system and how cities and residents can help build a healthier and more localized food system. Check out the San Mateo County County Food System Alliance's report on growing, selling, and eating healthy local food.