Understanding the Food System: How It Works and When It Doesn’t
Robyn KrockValley Vision
Valley Vision is a nonprofit consultancy that tackles economic, environmental and social
issues. Our vision is a prosperous and sustainable region for all generations.
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
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
FARMS and RANCHES
Post-Harvest Facilities
Manufacturers/Processors
Shippers
Brokers
Wholesalers
RetailersDirect Markets Food Services,
InstitutionsRestaurants,
CaterersFood Banks, Community
Programs
CONSUMERS
Product Flow
Flow of Product Story
LEGEND
Production
Production
Consumption
Production
Consumption
Processing
Distribution
Waste
Production
Consumption
Processing
Distribution
Waste
FARMS and RANCHES
Post-Harvest Facilities
Manufacturers/Processors
Shippers
Brokers
Wholesalers
RetailersDirect Markets Food Services,
InstitutionsRestaurants,
CaterersFood Banks, Community
Programs
CONSUMERS
Product Flow
Flow of Product Story
LEGEND
$ $ $ $
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.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/RentCar PaymentCar/Home InsuranceHealth InsuranceCable/PhoneElectric/GasGas (car)OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car PaymentCar/Home InsuranceHealth InsuranceCable/PhoneElectric/GasGas (car)OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Median rent for 1-bdr apt in Sac
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home InsuranceHealth InsuranceCable/PhoneElectric/GasGas (car)OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health InsuranceCable/PhoneElectric/GasGas (car)OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health Insurance $100Cable/PhoneElectric/GasGas (car)OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Assuming they can get this rate under the ACA. If not, add at least $200 or no health insurance.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health Insurance $100Cable/Phone $150Electric/GasGas (car)OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Two cell phones, no land line.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health Insurance $100Cable/Phone $150Electric/Gas $110Gas (car)OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health Insurance $100Cable/Phone $150Electric/Gas $110Gas (car) $120OtherMonthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Based on average miles driven per year. One car, two working adults = transportation costs are likely higher.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health Insurance $100Cable/Phone $150Electric/Gas $110Gas (car) $120Other $100Monthly Expenses Total
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
The myriad other little things that come up.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health Insurance $100Cable/Phone $150Electric/Gas $110Gas (car) $120Other $100Monthly Expenses Total $1,590
Monthly Spending After Set Exp.
Sample Monthly Budget
Monthly Net IncomeIncome (1st job) $1,473Income (2nd job) $624Other Income $0Monthly Net Income Total $2,097
Monthly ExpensesSavings $0 Mortgage/Rent $760Car Payment $150Car/Home Insurance $100Health Insurance $100Cable/Phone $150Electric/Gas $110Gas (car) $120Other $100Monthly Expenses Total $1,590
Monthly Spending After Set Exp. $507
Food for 2 adults and a baby, diapers, clothes for a growing child, household items, out-of-pocket medical expenses, car repairs, etc.
Production
Consumption
Processing
Distribution
Waste
Government regs & $$
Government regs & $$
Government regs
Government regs
Government regs & $$
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP, EBT, CalFresh, food stamps)
$1 = $1.79
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 low-cost, healthy food options
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
• 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.
