Why Policy Matters
– Analysis by Traci Bruckner, SAFSF Policy Program Director – The USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) contains two provisions: 1) direct payments to agriculture producers; and 2) the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. We could see clear structural problems with the direct farmer payments from the moment the program was announced, and now we’ve seen that the food box program is also problematic, both in its implementation and in the root philosophy behind it.Direct Payments Program Misses the MarkCongress provided roughly $9.5 billion through the CARES Act, for direct assistance to agriculture producers, and this specifically included “producers that supply local…
A Time for Movement
– Analysis by Traci Bruckner, SAFSF Policy Program Director – The unjust and egregious murder of George Floyd is awakening a national dialogue and movement to dismantle structural racism. It is time, no more excuses. We – me, you, SAFSF, philanthropy – must commit to be advocates for change, allies to all communities, and accomplices in dismantling racism. We must reckon with the fact that the creation and growth of our agriculture and food system in this country is inextricably linked to structural racism. White agricultural wealth has its roots in land stolen from Native people. Its growth has been fueled…
No More Excuses: SAFSF Commitment to Racial Justice
The murder of George Floyd is clearly unjust and egregious. We mourn, along with the nation, for his life lost and for his family. Mr. Floyd is the latest in a long legacy of unjust deaths of black and brown people in America. He and others whose names have been tragically seared into our consciousness are only the tip of this iceberg. Far too many others remain unnamed, unseen, and forgotten. We cannot allow this to continue. Our country continues to be built on inequities and systemic racism that have allowed these deaths to happen and to continue to happen, over…
SAFSF Farm and Food Systems Lenders and Investors Group
In response to ongoing member interest in substantive engagement at the intersection of impact investing and sustainable agriculture and food systems, we are excited to invite registration for the SAFSF Farm and Food Systems Lenders and Investors Group. Over the year, this cohort of investing practitioners will gather to: Share and sharpen their skills and strategies for investing in farm and food systems;Enjoy the fellowship and support of other investors in the sector;Respond in real time to farm and food economy disruptions due to COVID-19. Cohort Focus Our focus will be on real transactions in real places. We hope most participants will share a loan or investment, either…
COVID-19 Legislation and Policy
COVID-19 Legislation: An Update on Provisions Passed to Date Last Updated: Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 3:00 pm PST Phase One Phase One was an $8.3 billion bill (H.R. 6074) for coronavirus vaccine research and development that was passed on March 4, 2020. To learn more, see this summary. You can also see a helpful report from the Congressional Research Service here. Phase Two H.R. 6201, the bill referred to as “Phase 2,” passed the Senate and was signed into law on March 18, by a 90-8 vote. The bill includes paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expands food assistance and unemployment…
Joint PSO Statement: Keep Equity at the Forefront in Philanthropy’s Response to the Coronavirus
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 (Note: This joint PSO statement was the basis for a Letter to the Editor published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy on 3/19/20) In a recent opinion in The Chronicle of Philanthropy (How to Help the Most Vulnerable Through the Pandemic, 3/11/2020), FSG’s Lauren A. Smith made an important point about a focus on equity in philanthropy’s response to the coronavirus. She encourages funders to pay specific attention to communities that are likely to suffer disproportionately during the coronavirus pandemic because of “historic, systemic barriers that have left them vulnerable.” Philanthropy is well positioned to play a crucial role in responding…
Responding to the Moment
Dear SAFSF Network, Like all of you, we at SAFSF are doing our best to remain both calm and vigilant as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds around us. While we are deep in preparations for our June 2020 SAFSF Forum, we are actively monitoring and assessing the situation as new information becomes available and will make a decision about how to move forward within the next 30 days. Please know that we are mindful of the health and safety of potential attendees, host organizations’ staff, service personnel, and others we will all come in contact with. We are also mindful of the economic…
SAFSF launches new Special Project on Sustainable Fibers and Textiles
We are excited to announce the launch of SAFSF’s new Special Project on Sustainable Fibers and Textiles. Over the past 6 years, SAFSF has played a leading role in the development of funder interest and information-sharing in the area of sustainable fibers and textiles, with program offerings including webinars, Forum workshops and a funder in-depth session, and a white paper on this topic. The first step in this new initiative will be the development of a “Textiles Roadmap” that will serve interested U.S. funders and impact investors. This interview-driven research project will result in a 5-7 year vision for values-based investment…
What We Do With Power and Privilege Part 2
Written by Tamela Luce, senior program officer, HealthSpark Foundation and planning committee member of the 17th Annual SAFSF Forum, held in Pittsburgh PA, June 18-20, 2019. At the end of three long days of learning and connecting with my colleagues in this food and ag systems work, I’m always drained and wondering if I should hide in my room to recuperate rather than do one more thing. But since I served on the planning committee for the Forum, and specifically on the small group that planned the final plenary, I felt an obligation to attend. I’m beyond glad I did. The three…
What We Do With Power and Privilege Part 1
Written by Tamela Luce, senior program officer, HealthSpark Foundation and planning committee member of the 17th Annual SAFSF Forum, held in Pittsburgh PA, June 18-20, 2019. As food system funders and partners converge in Pittsburgh this week for the 2019 SAFSF Annual Forum – Points of Convergence – I am again struck by the courage of SAFSF and its members to name subjects that are often somewhat taboo in other areas of philanthropy. During the kick-off plenary, SAFSF Board Chair Jen Zuckerman welcomed attendees and acknowledged the power dynamic that is in the room. We are all aware of the power imbalance…
