Localizing agricultural distribution networks in San Diego CountyThe Farms to School program at San Diego Unified School District

AbstractContemporary farming techniques come with considerable external social costs to the environment, food security, healthcare, and other public entities. Sustainable agricultural practices (SAP) offer solutions to many of these problems, however many aspects of SAP are hard to apply in a fashion which is environmentally and economically beneficial. Agricultural distribution localization shares many of the benefits of other SAP and is easier to put into practice because it can be implemented independently of other changes and can potentially lead directly to immediate cost savings. This study examines ways in which the distribution network can be utilized and enhanced to advance localization within San Diego County. Research is centered on the farms to school (FTS) program in the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) and conducted through interviews, tours, and primary documents. This project identifies the major obstacle to the adoption of localized distribution networks as a lack of appropriate local crop supply and analyzes ways to overcome these impediments by examining the successes of the FTS program at the SDUSD. It is concluded that not all products can be locally distributed; however localization in San Diego is becoming increasingly viable and entities such as the FTS program at SDUSD are acting as agents of change to promote the localization effort.

Objectives of researchDetermine the ways current distribution networks may be improved to promote localization within San Diego County.Analyze how the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) food distribution system works.Identify the main challenges to localizing distribution for SDUSD.Discuss the ways SDUSD has been successful in localization attempts and provide insight for ways to improve localization throughout San Diego County.

Schools Prep Kitchens

American Produce

Local Farms

Packing Houses

Regional Farms

Nonlocal Farms

SDUSD Warehouse USDA Nonlocal

Farms

Hollandia Dairy

Regional Farms

SDUSD food Distribution networkProduce is sent to the American Produce distribution company from local and nonlocal sourcesNonperishable and frozen items are sent to SDUSD’s central warehouse from nonlocal sourcesDairy products come from Hollandia DairyAll food is sent from either American Produce, SDUSD’s central warehouse or Hollandia Dairy to one of SDUSD’s 18 prep kitchens.Each prep kitchen delivers food to a cluster of local schools. The average prep kitchen serves 13 schools.In total there are 241 schools and institutions served by SDUSD.

Main challenges to food distribution localization in San Diego CountyCrops in San Diego need to be produced and organized in large enough quantities that it is more cost effective to consume local food then to consume nonlocal food.Lack of local packing houses and processing facilities: Such essential facilities are mostly located outside of the county due to economies of scale and an inadequately sized farming network within San Diego County.Local crop inaccessibility due to climate: Some crops are not suitable for local production. For example, tropical produce does not grow in San Diego’s Mediterranean climate.Farming structure: San Diego County has the most small farms in the state which has led to disorganization of produce and subsequent diminishing of large-scale, wholesale capacity.Limited amount of local agricultural land: Rising real-estate prices and relatively high water and labor costs in the county have led to less local farmland (see map below).

Farm to School program as an agent for change and a model for progressSDUSD is the second largest school district in the state and accounts for approximately 20% of American Produce’s business; this large size of SDUSD means that its policies effect the surrounding food distribution network.SDUSD has a localization expert, Vanessa Zajfen, to aggressively seek the long-term goals of the program. It is the only district in the nation to employ such a specialist.The district is able to single source small farms to promote localization.The goals of the farm to school program encourage a base for collaboration between small farmers in San Diego County.SDUSD demonstrates the power of the consumer in dictating localization policies and provides a model for other large-consuming entities to follow.

Regional:Within 250 miles

of distribution center

Local:Within 150 miles

of distribution center

SD Local:Within 25 miles

of San Diego County

1. 25% of the fresh fruits and vegetables purchased will be sourced locally.2. Serve one “all local” lunch per month.3. Use sustainably raised hormone and antibiotic free meat and/or protein sources in school meals, use locally raised proteins when possible.4. Develop supplemental Farm to School activities and experiential learning opportunities for students.5. Create community partnerships.Source: SDUSD

Benefits of localizing agricultureProvides regional food security against nonlocal influencesCreates local jobsSpurs local economic growthGenerates the potential for cheaper foodLowers negative environmental impactsOffers fresher produceSupplies health and nutritional benefitsProtects the local agricultural industryEncourages urban-rural linkagesFosters comprehensive regional planning preventing suburban sprawl

Long-term goals of the farms to school program at SDUSD

Typical distribution route for a non-localized orange at SDUSD

Typical distribution route for a localized orange at SDUSD

Orange distribution truck at a farm in north San Diego CountySource: Lance Billingsley

Agricultural land in San Diego County, 1990 and 2008

Source: Equinox Center, original data from SANDAG

Source: partial data from Google

Source: partial data from Google

Definition of localization terms for SDUSD

Source: original data from SDUSD

R y a n S c l a r , U r b a n S t u d i e s a n d P l a n n i n g , U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a , S a n D i e g o