Presentation by Robyn Krock of Valley Vision (Sacramento, CA) on the basics of the farm to market to consumer food systems and what needs to be fixed to allow better distribution of healthful food to everyone.

1. Understanding the Food System:
How It Works and When It Doesn’t
Robyn Krock
Valley Vision

2. Valley Vision is a nonprofit consultancy that
tackles economic, environmental and social
issues. Our vision is a prosperous and
sustainable region for all generations.

3. A coalition formed to link efforts
throughout the Capital region working to:
• increase access to healthy foods in
underserved communities,
• increase associated educational
opportunities
• support the viability of agriculture

4. By linking efforts & working together we
hope to:
• Have a stronger voice to affect policy
and systems change
• Create stronger programs through
knowledge transfer and sharing best
practices

5. FARMS and RANCHES
Post-Harvest Facilities
Manufacturers/Processors
Shippers
Brokers
Wholesalers
Direct Markets
Retailers
Food Services,
Institutions
Restaurants,
Caterers
CONSUMERS
Product Flow
Flow of Product Story
LEGEND
Food Banks,
Community
Programs

6. Production

7. Production
Consumption

8. Production
Processing
Waste
Distribution
Consumption

10. Processing
Production
Waste
Distribution
Consumption

11. FARMS and RANCHES
Post-Harvest Facilities
Manufacturers/Processors
Shippers
Brokers
Wholesalers
Direct Markets
Retailers
Food Services,
Institutions
Restaurants,
Caterers
CONSUMERS
Product Flow
Flow of Product Story
LEGEND
Food Banks,
Community
Programs

12. $
$
$
$

13. Scenario: Two parent family with a baby. Have free childcare from
a relative for half of each day, so one parent works part-time at
minimum wage--$8/hour. Other parent works full-time at
$10/hour.

14. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0

15. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760  Median rent for 1-bdr apt in Sac

16. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150 

17. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150
$100 

18. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150
$100
$100  Assuming they can get this rate under
the ACA. If not, add at least $200 or no
health insurance.

19. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150
$100
$100
$150  Two cell phones, no land line.

20. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150
$100
$100
$150
$110 

21. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150
$100
$100
$150
$110
$120  Based on average miles driven per
year. One car, two working adults =
transportation costs are likely higher.

22. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150
$100
$100
$150
$110
$120
$100  The myriad other little things that
come up.

23. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
$0
$760
$150
$100
$100
$150
$110
$120
$100
$1,590 

24. Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net Income
Income (1st job)
Income (2nd job)
Other Income
Monthly Net Income Total
$1,473
$624
$0
$2,097
Monthly Expenses
Savings
Mortgage/Rent
Car Payment
Car/Home Insurance
Health Insurance
Cable/Phone
Electric/Gas
Gas (car)
Other
Monthly Expenses Total
$0
$760
$150
$100
$100
$150
$110
$120
$100
$1,590
Monthly Spending After Set Exp. $507 
Food for 2 adults and a baby,
diapers, clothes for a growing
child, household items, outof-pocket medical expenses,
car repairs, etc.

25. Production
Government
regs & $$ 
Processing
Government
regs & $$
Government
regs
Government
regs 
Waste
Distribution
Government
 regs & $$
Consumption

26. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP, EBT, CalFresh, food stamps)
$1 = $1.79

28. Changing the Food System

29. Change From Within
Establishing new policies and
regulations that support a
healthy, sustainable food system
• Subsidizing “specialty crops”
• Creating incentive programs to
encourage grocery stores in food
deserts
• Putting limits on marketing of
unhealthy food to kids
Educating consumers about lowcost, healthy food options

30. Creating an Alternative Food System
• Teaching people to grow their own food in
community and home gardens
• Supporting development of a locally-sourcing
food aggregation and distribution facility
• Increasing access to
farmer’s markets and
farmstands
• Education, education,
education

31. • There’s no magic pill.
• There are multiple strategies for addressing
these issues and all are necessary.
• Wherever you can step
in and help is needed.

32. Robyn Krock
robyn.krock@valleyvision.org
916-325-1630