Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment & Action Plan
Building a Resilient Local Food System Together
The Rogue Valley is experiencing an extraordinary transformation in our local food system. From the surge in small-scale farming to the challenges of climate change, our community faces both exciting opportunities and significant challenges in creating a sustainable, equitable food system that serves everyone.
Our Vision
A thriving, equitable, and resilient food system in the Rogue Valley that supports:
- Economic vitality for our region
- Local farmers and food producers
- Access to healthy food for all residents
- Environmental sustainability
Four Priority Goals
- Reduce Hunger and Ensure Access for All: Making healthy, fresh, affordable food available to all community members
- Invest in Our Local Food and Farm Economy: Supporting farmers, food producers, and businesses to strengthen our regional economy
- Protect and Restore Soil and Water Health: Protecting our soil and water resources through sustainable farming practices
- Reduce Food Waste: Creating efficient systems to minimize waste and maximize resource use
Why This Matters
Our assessment, involving over 2,000 community members, reveals both challenges and opportunities:
- 50% increase in local producers since 2012
- Growing interest in local food production and distribution
- Need for improved infrastructure to support small farms
- Critical importance of addressing food security and climate resilience
Get Involved
Your participation is vital to creating a stronger food system. Here’s how you can help:
- Join working groups focused on our priority goals
- Connect with local food system initiatives
- Support local farmers and food producers
- Share your expertise and ideas
Ready to Make a Difference?
Your participation is vital to creating a stronger food system. Here’s how you can help:
- Email: alison@rvfoodsystem.org
- Follow us on social media:
Together, we can build a food system that nourishes our community, supports our farmers, and protects our environment for generations to come.
About the Last Community Food Solutions Summit:
The Rogue Valley Community Food Solutions Summit was last held on March 16th, 2023 at Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center to kick off an updated Jackson and Josephine County’s Community Food Assessment, last done in 2013. The Summit provided a forum for anyone involved in food systems work in the Rogue Valley and surrounding area to contribute in a meaningful way to the Rogue Valley Food Assessment process by sharing your knowledge, expertise, and vision for the future of food and farm systems. Topics covered are listed below. Click here to see the notes from each session.
- Ag Inputs (Soil, Water, Industry Resources)
- Food Systems Infrastructure (Manufacturing, processing, storage and distribution)
- Production (farming, ranching, fisherfolk)
- Consumer Demand and Marketing (includes Agritourism)
- Nutrition (Education and Access)
- Food Access and Food Insecurity
- Emergency Food Resources and Resiliency
- Advocacy, Outreach and Education
- Labor and Employment
- Food Waste Management
Previous Food Assessments for Jackson and Josephine Counties:
Jackson County Community Food Assessment, 2013
Josephine County Food Assessment, 2012
