New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s Post

Excited to share this beautiful blog post!

California Prune producers harmonize modern technologies with traditional methods to cultivate their fruit - California Prune growers are embracing technological advancements to enhance their agricultural practices and food safety standards, maintaining the state’s international reputation for excellence in this field. This includes investing in research and partnering with leading universities and experts to develop cost-effective practices to improve yield, quality, and sustainability. According to... - https://lnkd.in/etzWsHvt

Our very own CAFF Policy Director, Jamie Fanous, joins our partners at the @nsac_sustainableag to provide some advice for you–yes, YOU, whoever you are–about how to be an affective advocate for the change you wanna see in our food and farming system, locally or across the country. For those looking to engage more deeply in food policy advocacy, Hackney and Fanous recommend tuning into social media platforms and newsletters from a mixture of national agricultural organizations, such as NSAC, and local ones, such as CAFF. Once you start following political and agricultural news, you may come across the occasional public request for citizens like yourself to contact local representatives in Congress to advocate for or against certain bills. “If organizations like CAFF or others ask—make the phone call. It makes a big difference,” says Fanous. “We very rarely ask people to make calls to their members, but when we do, it’s serious and we need that support. If you can’t make the call, repost the request on social media to give it more life.” Besides doing the research to elect officials who advocate on behalf of these priorities, the best thing we can do to support farmers year-round is to be just as conscientious about how we vote with our dollars. “Sign up for a CSA, go to the farmers market or co-op, purchase your produce from farmers directly. Go the extra mile to do that,” says Fanous. “If you’re going to a big box store, the produce is probably not from a small-scale farmer or a local farmer, so it’s really not supporting local economies. Joining a CSA program is a great way to build a relationship with your farmer and know where your food is coming from.” And don't forget to VOTE! 🇺🇸 https://lnkd.in/gUnZeeMb

🏅 A vertical farm located in the UK has successfully obtained two significant accreditations: Red Tractor and GLOBAL G.A.P. These accreditations are a testament to the farm's commitment to maintaining high standards in various aspects of its operations. 🚜 Red Tractor Accreditation: Red Tractor is a well-known food assurance scheme in the UK that signifies that the food produced adheres to strict quality and safety standards. This includes factors such as traceability, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and overall food hygiene. Achieving Red Tractor accreditation is a mark of credibility, assuring consumers that the products from this farm are of high quality and have been produced responsibly. 🌾 GLOBAL G.A.P. Certification: GLOBAL G.A.P. is an internationally recognized standard for good agricultural practices. It covers a wide range of criteria, including food safety, environmental sustainability, worker safety, and animal welfare. This certification demonstrates the farm's commitment to following sustainable and responsible practices throughout its operations. It's particularly important for the export of agricultural products, as many international markets require products to meet GLOBALG.A.P. standards. ♻ By obtaining both Red Tractor and GLOBAL G.A.P. accreditations, the vertical farm is able to differentiate itself in the competitive market by showcasing its dedication to producing high-quality, safe, and environmentally responsible produce. 👥 These accreditations are valuable not only for the farm's reputation but also for its business growth. Consumers are increasingly interested in the origin and production methods of their food, and these certifications provide a clear and recognizable way for them to identify products that meet their preferences. #agriculture #farming #verticalfarming #verticalfarm #accreditations #redtractor #environmentalresponsibility #success #differenciation #agrifj #agriculturalandfarmingjobs

Another major milestone for cultivated meat—the world’s first cultivated beef product approval! Aleph Farms has received pre-market approval for their cultivated beef in the form of a “No Questions” letter from Israel’s Ministry of Health. This regulatory green light is the first ever for non-chicken cultivated meat anywhere in the world and the first for cultivated meat of any kind in the Middle East. Next steps for the company include securing a final inspection of its pilot production facility. Get the details ➡️ https://reut.rs/3S0Ssgy As global meat demand continues to grow, it’s this type of ground-breaking innovation that can help transition the protein supply toward more environmentally friendly options while providing consumers with the foods they love. Kudos to the Aleph Farms team, The Good Food Institute Israel, and all those working on cultivated meat today, all of whom share much in common with others working across the entire food system—most notably, a commitment to feeding the world in the most efficient, future-resilient way possible.

🗞 Interesting read from Fruit & Vine Magazine about how THE NEW FOREST FRUIT CO. are creating new healthy food products from their fruit waste. The farm is using an innovative pulse drying technique on site, rather than freeze drying the fruit. Read the full article below ⬇ If you have innovative ideas to tackle food waste or create new revenue streams from your by-products, our Business Sustainability Challenge funding could help test your idea. https://lnkd.in/eP5ihjEQ

During May, VERMONT FRESH NETWORK's Gold Barn Month in Vermont, we want to recognize some of our partners who make our ability to serve local possible. Featured commitments are one tool that we use to strategically drive local and regional food spend. We work with our distributors 6-12 months in advance to commit to purchasing a set amount of each product on a weekly basis, most of which are automatically shipped to our kitchens. We'd like to introduce or reintroduce you to our Local Beef Program with Black River Meats. Read more about our featured commitments at https://lnkd.in/gERPgh9w In an addition to the decades old Black River Produce company, the group created a state-of-the-art meat processing facility in 2014. This facility helps keep Vermont raised beef in the local economy by processing it right here in the state, and assures farmers have a reliable market for their beef. Black River requires all participating farms to follow humane animal and sustainable crop management practices. Our Commitment: Through our partnership with Black River Meats, our campuses commit to using local ground beef each month. Before the start of the program, campuses across the state were purchasing 8% of their ground beef products from local sources, in review of our FY23 spend, statewide, that number is up to 17.2%!

🇺🇸👩🌾 Virginia's supply chain secures fresh funding boost. The USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service has partnered with Virginia to award over $6.3 million in competitive grant funding under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. This funding aims to strengthen the middle of the supply chain and enhance resilience in the food system. USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt highlighted that these projects will create new opportunities for small and midsize producers, expand access to nutritious food options, and boost supply chain resilience. The funding, made available through the American Rescue Plan, seeks to strengthen local and regional food systems. The program has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies responsible for agriculture, food processing, seafood, or food system activities. Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will utilize the funding to enhance cold storage and flash freezing facilities, improve transportation options, upgrade equipment for value-added processing, and increase aggregation capacity. Joe Guthrie, VDACS Commissioner, emphasized the importance of investing in supply chain infrastructure to help local and regional farms and food businesses achieve scale and efficiencies. The funding will support projects that benefit smaller farms, new and beginning farmers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities. Additionally, VDACS will provide support for supply chain coordination and technical assistance to farmers and food businesses operating in processing, aggregation, and distribution. Learn more in the full article: https://lnkd.in/ebBNsk5s #ForwardFooding #supplychain #foodsystems #foodindustry #funding #foodprocessing

🌿 De Groote Voort Dairy Farm: Where Tradition Meets Innovation 🏆 The Netherlands is widely known as a dairy country. We have a long history in milk, butter and cheese production and consumption. The typical pasture landscape with cattle and windmills is inextricably connected with the perception of our country. Behind this image thrives a modern sector, committed to people, animals, and the environment. With a long history of increasing efficiency we deliver high quality products. That you can also run a dairy farm organically whilst maintaining the high quality standards, is proven by the traditional farm De Groote Voort, owned by Jan Dirk and his son Peter Van de Voort. Prize-winning #Remeker cheese is made on this unique dairy farm and cheese production unit in #Lunteren in the heart of #foodvalley. The only milk used comes from their own Jersey cows and is unpasteurised. The resulting cheese is 100% organic – including the rind, made from their own ghee – and just a short dip in the brine vats ensures that it is ideal for those who are on a #reducedsaltdiet. 🌾 Nurturing the Land, Sustaining the Flavor 🌱 The foundation of the dairy and cheese farm lies in the land itself – the meadows that determine the taste of the cheese. The key? Prioritizing soil health throughout the production chain to ensure unparalleled flavor. 🐄 Antibiotic-Free Since 2004 💊 What sets them further apart? Their cows are #freefromantibiotics since 2004 and thrive on a diet of grass, clover, along with the rich variety of other herbs and occasionally some raw oats and unrefined grains. Want to learn more on this farm specifically or find out more about innovations in dairy farming and agriculture in the Netherlands? Feel free to contact us. Roger Van Hoesel Huiberdien Sweeris #regiofoodvalley #organicfarming #traditionmeetsinnovation #agrifoodinnovation

🗣️ Caterlink have been awardees of the Food for Life (FFL) Food for Life Served Here scheme for over a decade! We wanted to share this article to highlight the great work the programme is doing #healthyliving #sustainablefood #schoolmeals #lunch #education #catering #schoolfood #lunchbreak