Program areas at Grower-Shipper Association Foundation
The greater vision program is a an annual educational event created through collaboration between the California state university monterey bay, and the grower shipper Association Foundation. It provides a series of public forums featuring speakers and panel discussions from community members, academic researchers, elected officials, public agencies, and agricultural representatives. The series addresses agricultural issues important to agriculture and the larger community, and is designed for the general public. Greater vision 2022, push, pull, panic? Perishable supply chain management was held on octorber 24, 2022. Over 200 students and community members viewed this event online and over 80 attended the in person career fair.
Ag against hunger program is to help alleviate hunger and combat food waste by channeling surplus produce to food banks and food assistance programs.in 2022, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the program had to postpone all of its in person activities. The executive director however, worked with growers and local food banks to develop the gleaning program in the post-covid times. The cleanings are scheduled to resume in 2023.
Agknowledge provides policy makers and other community leaders the opportunity to "walk in the shoes of a farmer" so that they may see monterey county through the eyes of those directly involved in the many facets of agriculture. The nine monthly seminars take program fellows throughout the diverse geography of monterey county with farm tours and hands on experiences. 20 community members were accepted into the program in 2022 to participate in the nine-month executive educational program. Agknowledge provides participating fellows a deeper understanding about the heritage, diversity, stewardship and complexity of monterey county agriculture and the interdependencies of agriculture, local government and the community.
More produce in schools program focuses on addressing the national obesity epidemic by finding ways to bring more fresh produce into schools on the central coast. Prior to the pandemic, this program placed 87 salad bars in partnership with united fresh start Foundation in local schools. Post pandemic, we worked with food service personnel on the care and use of the salad bars. We are now winding down this program and using the funds towards nutritional endeavors.