The California Food & Farming Network is building a movement centered on racial equity to transform the food and farming system through state policies.
Why do we Need a Food and Farming Network?
CFFN was founded to address a gap that has hindered efforts to build a more equitable food system in California. Too often, advocates for a just and equitable food and farm system work in fragmented and uncoordinated efforts. CFFN aims to build collective power with stakeholders throughout the food and farming landscape to create a more just food system in California.
While some of our member organizations are small in size or scope, we understand that the food and farm system is expansive and complex; worker rights, farm production methods, environmental justice, and hunger are all interconnected, but often addressed in silos. Seeking justice, equity, and sustainability requires that we bridge these divisions and unite our efforts. By fostering collaboration among organizations, we can effectively confront the influence of Big Ag, chemical companies, and food corporations within the California state capitol, ensuring our collective voice is heard.
Who can Join CFFN?
CFFN membership is organizational. Non-profit, non-governmental organizations with a grassroots base impacted by the food system, those with expertise in the food system who wish to make change through state policies, and those currently doing policy advocacy work at the state level are welcome to apply. Members must be able to sign on to our mission, vision, and values and demonstrate their commitment to racial equity.
Expectations of membership
Members are encouraged but not required to:
- Attend 8 or more monthly meetings per year in addition to our in-person annual meeting
- Participate in working groups, learning spaces, and strategy discussions as appropriate
- Provide input on the Network’s policy priorities
- Support or sign-on to CFFN positions
- Participate in the CFFN listserv
- Contribute annual (tiered) dues for white-led and intermediary organizations
Dues
Dues will fund essential labor by the Steering Council working to align CFFN’s actions with our mission and values. Members self-identify as “white-led”, “BIPOC-led” or “intermediary” according to an internal matrix designed to determine who will be asked to pay dues. Redistributing resources to support our grassroots Steering Council reflects our commitment to address inequities in funding and representation.
As a CFFN member, you’ll be able to:
• Engage in developing and influencing state policies that directly affect regional and state food and farming systems and communities.
• Grow the political power of food system change by cultivating relationships with statewide and local organizations, along with state policymakers.
• Participate in peer-to-peer learning and support strategies to uphold shared values.
• Get assistance in establishing inclusive and equitable policy development structures.
• Access trainings and resources that strengthen advocacy skills and capacity, such as policy advocacy trainings, guidance on engaging with state representatives, updates on legislative proceedings, and action alerts.
• Contribute to shaping the work of our movement by participating in discussions on determining needs and priorities.
Application Process
New CFFN membership is approved by our Steering Council. While the Council considers applicants holistically, they are particularly looking for an applicant’s ability to sign on to our mission, vision, values, and dues structure, their demonstrated commitment to racial equity, and their purpose for applying.
- Interested orgs submit an Interest Form or contact CFFN directly
- CFFN will schedule an Interest Meeting to review expectations and answer questions
- Interested organization is welcome to submit a formal application
- CFFN members and Steering Council will review the application for approval
This process takes approximately two weeks. For more information, contact Beth Spitler at bspitler@caff.org. You can submit an Interest Form digitally here.
