Community
Food Initiatives – Ultimately one of the most compelling
measures of success for ALBA farmers is their ability to develop
sales in our local communities. ALBA works to develop the
farmers’ own sales skills while also providing distribution
services that consolidate multiple farmers’ produce
for larger markets.
The agricultural economy in our region has attracted thousands
of farm workers over the years, many of whom have not been
or are no longer migrant workers. Many farm workers have chosen
to settle with their families in the Salinas Valley. This
has resulted in a vibrant and diverse local culture along
with poverty-stricken communities with limited access to social
services and few opportunities for economic advancement.
ALBA has generated a long-term vision for a just and sustainable
food system in local farm worker communities. We are working
to:
1) overcome the food system paradox whereby many farm workers
are food insecure, with little community access to fresh,
locally grown produce, and test the assumption that organic
produce is unattainable for this population,
2) coordinate production and develop marketing skills among
ALBA farmers in order to fulfill community needs, build and
sustain local business opportunities, and increase the overall
sales volume to build stronger earned income for ALBA, and,
3) promote local foods and engage people with ideas and options
to foster greater social and economic justice in the local
food system through alliances with public health agencies
and community health advocates.
ALBA Organics and Marketing Education – ALBA Organics
is a licensed produce distributor operated by the Agriculture
and Land-Based Training Association. Its facilities are located
at the Rural Development Center farm near Salinas. Produce
sales and distribution services are major assets for the farmers
at ALBA, especially beginners. In addition, ALBA Organics
offers crucial marketing education on a variety of sales strategies
including wholesale, direct-to-retail, community supported
agriculture, farmers’ markets and others.
You can read more about ALBA Organics, and become a customer
by clicking here.
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