Center for Agroecology

This research brief examines alternative food initiatives (AFIs) in California: their history, goals, contributions, and visions of a sustainable food system. It briefly reviews the unique aspects of California's agricultural system that gave rise to the AFIs examined in the study. Based on interviews with the organizations' leaders and participants, the authors discuss the perspectives and activities of todays' AFI groups. The brief concludes with suggestions for strengthening existing alternative food initiative efforts in California.