Category: Food

Bilingual report — Safety Alert: US Food and Drug Administration warns of investigation of acute non-viral hepatitis illness linked to “Real Water” brand alkaline water – Do not drink, cook, sell or serve “Real Water”

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Southern Nevada Health District is investigating a number of reports of acute non-viral hepatitis in the state of Nevada.

The consumption of “Real Water” brand alkaline water is the only common link identified among all of these cases to date. This brand of alkaline water is owned by Real Water Inc., headquartered in Mesa, Arizona. …

The 5-gallon containers are delivered to homes in the following areas, according to the firm’s website:

Ventura and Santa Barbara, CA through Real Water Gold Coast

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for March 11, 2021 — When will Ventura County be in the Red Tier?

The state has announced that once 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are administered in the most vulnerable communities in the state that the state will modify the case rate requirements. The case rate requirements are tied into the different colored tiers. If the case rate requirement is adjusted and Ventura County meets the metric we will move to the Red Tier next Wednesday the 17th.

Looking forward. Here’s what can be open (following the state issued guidance for each sector) once the County is in the Red Tier:

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces New Chair to the Executive Committee

The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) is pleased to announce Kiah Jordan as Chair to its Executive Committee. SBCFAN’s Executive Committee is comprised of a broad spectrum of community leaders who drive the work of the organization and act as ambassadors to advocate and network on behalf of SBCFAN.
Jordan is the founder of Impact Family Office, a multi-family office serving clients as guides, advisors, and trustees. Before starting Impact Family Office, he worked for Santa Barbara Capital, a real estate investment firm, and with clients in the wine industry, tech sectors, and international manufacturing. Jordan graduated from Westmont College with degrees in Economics/Business and Spanish, and received a Master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship from USC’s Marshall School of Business. He is a National Certified Guardian by the Center for Guardianship Certification and a licensed Professional Fiduciary by the California Professional Fiduciaries Bureau.

Port of Hueneme Distributes Food and Grocery Carts

In the nearly one year since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the people most directly affected in South Oxnard have been farmworkers and their families – food access is critical for those whose jobs and health have been impacted. Many efforts have sprouted to help provide food and COVID-19 resources and relief, and Oxnard’s Southwinds Neighborhood Council has been holding weekly food distributions. Saturday’s Southwinds event, in collaboration with the Port of Hueneme, its customers and other partners, marked the Port’s 45th food distribution event, as they continue to be committed to community.

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Multilingual and Migrant Education Program (MMEP) held a Health and Wellness Drive-thru Fair

Nutrition knowledge and essential food help arrived for 150 Santa Maria Joint Union High School District families when the SMJUHSD Multilingual and Migrant Education Program (MMEP) held a Health and Wellness Drive-thru Fair at the Santa Maria High School student parking lot on Saturday, February 20.

MMEP along with community organizations from Mixteco Indigena Community Organization Project (MICOP), Community Health Centers (CHC), Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO), Center for Employment Training (CET), and the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County offered families free information packets. Organization packets included information on health, dental, rental assistance, healthy food choices, COVID. Families also received hygiene kits, groceries/produce and pan dulce.

Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace Returns To East Parking Lot

VENTURA — Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace, which temporarily moved to the West Parking Lot on the Ventura College campus while solar panels were installed at its home on the East Parking Lot, will return to its permanent location on…

Bilingual commentary — What Is Personalized Nutrition?

Why Personalized Nutrition Is Important

By necessity, the standard nutritional support recommendations tend to be generic; there’s nothing “personalized” in your nutrition plans, given your uniqueness even within a particular demographic. It’s true: there’s only one you. You may have a friend of about the same age, the same body type. Maybe you exercise about the same and eat about the same kinds of foods. But you have your own routines, stressors and family history that set you apart and play a role in how healthy you are and how you feel.

Bilingual commentary — Eating Chocolate With a Clear Conscience

Many of us consider ourselves to be “healthy eaters,” possibly to the dismay of others around us who chide us for our discipline and call us “fanatical.” We’re conscious of our health and proud of our food choices.

Even so, we might well have one or two little “weaknesses” that food companies like to exploit, not unlike the coronavirus seeking to exploit any weakness it detects in our behavior and circumstances. Our alimentary lapses may occur with others, or in secret. In their extreme form, these deviations from our better judgment might be more accurately classified as eating disorders. But generally, our occasional missteps do us no harm and can be attributed to us “being human.”

March 25 — SEEAG Live Auction To Raise Money for Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom Van

Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture (SEEAG) is holding a live online auction March 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to raise money for a Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom van. An online silent auction will take place March 23 to March 25.

Items to be auctioned include farm-to-table dinners, golf outings, restaurant and winery gift cards, bed and breakfast stays and gift baskets.

Sept. 18 — Third Annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day Features Two Wineries

The third annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day, set for Saturday, September 18, will feature two wineries. Farm Day gives the public the opportunity to take part in free, in-person, tours of farms in the Santa Maria Valley region.

Visitors will learn about the agricultural work behind wine production and how lack of rain could affect this year’s harvest. 

Nov. 13 — Join the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum for a Pig Roast and Barn Dance at the Pork Palace with live country-swing music by Monte Mills & the Lucky Horseshoe Band

Put on your dancing boots!  The Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House (SYVHM) is excited to announce a new addition to the Vaquero Gala, Show and Sale event lineup –  a Pig Roast and Barn Dance with live country-swing music by Monte Mills & the Lucky Horseshoe Band! The festivities take place on Saturday, November 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the famed Pork Palace, home of “Heritage Pork.” Single tickets are $65 and family tickets are $125. They may be purchased in advance at the Vaquero Show, online at santaynezmuseum.org or at the door. 

In the True Spirit of Giving, Ventura Harbor Village Teams Up with Food Share Ventura County

‘Tis the season for giving, and part of the holiday magic was evident as Ventura Harbor Village hosted a Holiday CAN-Tree Food Drive for Food Share Ventura County this past weekend. The seaside activity was an example of sharing with others who will receive much-needed food this holiday season.  Locals and visitors dropped off more than 1,000 canned goods and other food items and donated to the non-profit organization to help make the holidays bright.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — A Big Thank You

As the year comes to an end, we want to take a minute out of the bustling holiday season to thank our Executive Committee. The leadership team established the Network and provided the input, support, and guidance imperative to our growth and success. Santa Barbara County Food Action Network was established in 2019 to support efforts that advance the goals of the Food Action Plan. We work year-round to connect, align, and activate food system change makers in order to develop a robust local food economy; a healthy and just community; and a well-stewarded, resilient foodshed. We rely on our Network leadership to direct our efforts and support our ongoing work.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network gives $150,000 in grants to nonprofits throughout the County addressing broader food system issues

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) announces the recipients of its 2020 Food System Resilience Grants. Grants totalling $150,000 are given to support the achievement of Food Action Plan goals by contributing to the broader food systems of Santa Barbara County. SBCFAN is awarding the grants in partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara Foundation.

The nonprofits receiving 2020 Food System Resilience Grants are:

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network’s “Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays” Campaign Offers Safe Option for Celebrating the Holidays during Stay-At-Home Order

The Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays Campaign launched before Thanksgiving as a collaborative effort between Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN), Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (SBCPHD), county-wide farmers’ markets, and Edible Santa Barbara. The Campaign offers a safe, affordable, and healthy option for celebrating the holidays while emphasizing the importance of supporting the County’s local agriculture and food producers during the ongoing pandemic.

“Due to the regional Stay at Home Order that went into effect on Monday, our local food system faces even greater pressure – the need to support our County’s local farmers, ranchers, food artisans and fisherfolk is more critical than ever. The Stay Home and Eat Local Campaign provides a fun and practical way to encourage our community to shop local this season by creating nutritious and beautiful meals for their loved ones during the

Bilingual report — Homes with Heart VC Encourages Community Members to Make their Lives more Meaningful

Local human services agency urges community support to open their hearts and homes to children and older youth in (foster)care, as additional census shows a growth in need during the pandemic. VENTURA — The holidays are a special time of…

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Holiday Newsletter

We are collaborating with Santa Barbara County farmers markets, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Edible Santa Barbara to celebrate this season, while supporting our local farmers, ranchers, fisherfolk, and food artisans during the pandemic. Together, we have created a “Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays” Shopping Guide, which includes in-season recipes by Edible Santa Barbara to plan your fresh, beautiful and nutritious holiday meal. The guide also features suggested budgets based on the size of your small gathering; sample menus with basic preparations; and a shopping list with an easy to follow market map to use at your local farmers market!

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network — Support local food system resilience by donating to SBCFAN

Local is always in season! We work year-round to support efforts that strengthen our local food system.

Give back this holiday season by donating to our ongoing work of connecting, aligning and activating a network of food system actors to develop a robust local food economy, a healthy and just community, and a well-stewarded, resilient foodshed.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update — Wishing our community a safe Holiday! Please wear a mask, social distance and only gather with members of your household

Wishing our community a safe Holiday! Please wear a mask, social distance and only gather with members of your household. Your actions are saving lives and keeping businesses open.

Today, volunteers helped deliver special Holiday meals for the most vulnerable populations in Ventura County. More than 150 volunteers from across the community and from County agencies helped with this effort.

Nearly 1,000 deliveries and a total of 3,000 meals were provided. Along with the meals each recipient received a homemade holiday greeting card. The cards were received as part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Holiday Greetings Campaign. Nearly 1,000 cards were received from children and adults alike from throughout the County.

United Way of Santa Barbara County Partners with Albertsons to Deliver 40 Thanksgiving Meals

Every year, Albertsons stores collects donations to help buy local families a Thanksgiving meal. This year, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has partnered with Albertsons in Goleta onCalle Real, for their annual Turkey Bucks fundraising project. 

Turkey Bucks is an annual campaign where local grocery stores collect donations and use the money raised to buy turkey dinners for families who cannot afford to buy their own for the holidays. 

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces ‘Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays’ Campaign

The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) has connected Santa Barbara County farmers markets, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Edible Santa Barbara to develop a safe, affordable, and healthy option for celebrating the Holidays – and supporting the County’s food system – during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, these Network partners are launching an aligned “Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays” campaign to encourage County residents to avoid large gatherings and enjoy locally sourced holiday meals with their household instead.

The campaign, which launches on Saturday, November 21, sprouted from conversations with County Public Health around how to emphasize the importance of avoiding gatherings during the holidays to help stop the spread of COVID-19. “Stay Home (and Eat Local) for the Holidays” takes that message and elevates it by also encouraging residents to shop local in our safe, outdoor farmers markets for affordable and healthy holiday meal ingredients that support Santa Barbara County farmers, ranchers, fisherfolk, and food artisans,” said SBCFAN’s Executive Director, Shakira Miracle.

Santa Maria High School students take park in Catholic Charities Canned Food Drive

About 55 Santa Maria High School needy families received generous food donations from Catholic Charities Friday.

The distribution took place from 11 a.m. to noon at the campus where students and their families picked up grocery bags packed with rice, beans, cereal, pasta, vegetables, snacks and other nutritious necessities.

Saint School Community Liaison Patricia Lopez Barriga began contacting non-profit agencies in town after the families reached out to her for help.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s “Project Turkey” Extends to Thanksgiving to Continue to Help Families in Need

Every year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s (TBCF) “Project Turkey” helps food-insecure families who have a child facing pediatric cancer in the Tri-County areas with grocery gift cards and food baskets.  

Just in time for Thanksgiving, TBCF plans on donating items to hospitals, clinics and homes and are hoping to help 50 families or more with Project Turkey food and grocery gift card donations this season.  

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Nov. 18 — Celebrate safer

Don’t forget the most important ingredients this Thanksgiving. While it’s safest not to gather, if you do, keep safety and good times in mind. Keep it short, outdoors, and small, with no more than two other households. Wear masks, stay at least six feet apart, and wash your hands. Help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Food Share of Ventura County has launched CAN-tree Drive

Food Share of Ventura County has launched CAN-tree Drive, its popular, annual, festive food & fund drive. The event, now in its ninth year, features hundreds of “trees” built from collected food cans, and usually takes place at Figueroa Plaza in downtown Ventura. This year, CAN-tree comes to you! Individuals, families and local businesses are being asked to build their tree at their home or business location. 

Food Share holding Mega Food Drive-Thru Distribution on Nov. 15

Food Share, Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization, is holding a mega drive-thru food distribution of shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce on Sunday, November 15, 9am-12pm at Food Share of Ventura County’s headquarters at 4156 Southbank Rd., Oxnard, 93036.  

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s “Project Turkey” in Need this Thanksgiving

Every year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) holds Project Turkey to help food-insecure families who have a child facing pediatric cancer in the Tri-County areas with grocery gift cards and food baskets. 

This year, due to the pandemic, the holidays have hit families dealing with a child with cancer even harder due to increased financial constraints. Many families have had to leave work in order to care for their sick child, and TBCF is working hard to collect items for these families so they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace Temporarily Moves To New Location During Campus’ Solar Panel Installation

Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace will temporarily move to a new location on the Ventura College campus while solar panels are installed at its current site (East Parking Lot). The Marketplace will open at the campus’ West Parking Lot on November 28. The Marketplace will be closed November 21 and 22 in preparation for the move. The solar panel installation is expected to take 12 weeks to complete.

SEEAG Launches $15,000 “Give The Gift of Agriculture Challenge”

An anonymous donor has stepped forward and will match all donations up to $15,000 for every dollar donated to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). The “Give the Gift of Agriculture – Double Your Impact Challenge” runs through December 31 with a total fundraising goal of $30,000.

Celebrating Halloween Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic

For many children of all ages, Halloween is synonymous with the American tradition of dressing up in costume and heading out into the neighborhood with friends and family to trick-or-treat and collect candy in the crisp autumn air.

However, with the coronavirus still spreading throughout much of the country, including in California, families are advised to take extra precautions this year, which could mean finding new and innovative ways to safely celebrate this holiday, according to a health expert.

Seasons Catering overcomes Covid-19 challenges with Good2Go

Seasons Catering began 2020 celebrating its 20th year in business. It was to be a big year with many caterings booked for weddings, corporate events, premieres, and more. Then COVID hit and changed everything. Not one to let herself fall victim to her circumstances, Gabrielle Moes, Founder and CEO of Seasons Catering quickly pivoted, at a time when events and catering were temporarily shut down, to launch Good2Go heat and serve meals, available at www.thegood2go.com

Bilingual report — ‘Avispas beneficiosas’ liberadas en el Sur de California para que ataquen a la peste que difunde una enfermedad de los árboles cítricos

BENEFICIAL WASPS RELEASED IN LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE AND VENTURA COUNTIES TO HELP FIGHT DEADLY CITRUS TREE DISEASE

California Department of Food and Agriculture is Releasing Thousands of Insects This Week

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces its 2020 Food System Resilience Grants

The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) announces its call for proposals for the 2020 Food System Resilience Grants. The grants are given to support the achievement of Food Action Plan goals by contributing to the broader food systems of Santa Barbara County. SBCFAN will be awarding the grants in partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Funding for this program is made possible by a grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation.

FOOD ACTION NETWORK — Our first newsletter!

Welcome to the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network’s first newsletter! We appreciate your time and attention in a year filled with new information coming at you by the minute. Rest assured the content will be relevant, inclusive, informative, and valuable to both you as an individual and our community Countywide. The quarterly newsletter will include: a feature on recent collaborative activation of Food Action Plan goals; a community profile in Santa Barbara County that is building food system resilience; upcoming events and funding opportunities; ways to take action.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 25

Good afternoon, There are 51 new cases today (4 (7.8%) of which have a lab collection from September 18th or earlier), 833 additional people tested, and 3 additional deaths (68 year old female, 37 year old female, and 99 year old male, all with comorbidities). The current doubling time was 121.4 days.

Ventura County is currently in the purple tier which they have designated as widespread transmission as of September 22. Our current data published as of September 22 is 7.4 (purple tier) for the case rate and 3.8% (orange tier) for the positivity rate for the measurement period ending September 12; this will keep us in the purple tier until the next measurement which will be on September 29.

Food Distribution Event to be held Sept. 26 for Hispanic Heritage Month to Support Essential Frontline Farmworkers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Latino community leaders and critical donors are taking action to support farm working families in Ventura County. These essential workers have not stopped working to feed Californians and the nation before, during, and after COVID 19 pandemic hit the US.  The campaign, known as “Feeding the Frontline: Feeding our Farmworkers,” will be hosting a food distribution event to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with a “Day of Service” on September 26, 2020. There would have been additional sites but for surges that have occurred in many of these communities.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 15 — Participating in the 2020 Census helps our community!

The Census helps determine how billions in federal funding is distributed to our community over the next 10 years.

There are three easy ways to complete the Census survey:

By phone at 1-844-330-2020
Online at www.my2020census.gov
By mail – you can send in the paper form that you should have received in the mail if you still have not completed the Census.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) & Buffalo Wild Wings Team Up to Support At-home Activities & Fitness for Local Youth

 As part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America ALL STARS annual grant program, sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) has received 200 sport balls to help local Club kids participate in a healthy activity at home.

Both the WHO and CDC recommends a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity everyday for youth. With kids being at home and parks and playgrounds being closed, being active for 60 minutes becomes that much harder for some youth, especially those who are disadvantaged.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 9 — Ready Ventura County

September is National Preparedness Month and is a good time for your family and community to make sure they have a disaster plan now and throughout the year. As our community continues to respond to COVID-19 and we head into peak wildfire season, there is no better time to get prepared than now.

Make a plan today! Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

For more tips and to view a printable version of the Ready Ventura County Emergency Preparedness Guide, click on the link below.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Making Progress

Although we have not reduced our cases enough to move from the purple tier to red tier according to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy metrics, we are making significant progress. On August 31st, the county’s 7-day case rate was 9.0 per 100,000 population. Yesterday, the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health released our first official report card number as 8.3 cases per 100,000 population. We need to lower our 7-day average positive case number to 7 per 100,000 population to move to the red tier. If we remain vigilant and maintain this positive momentum, we will likely be able to move to the red tier by the end of September. See more about which sectors can operate in each tier.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Sept. 8 — National Preparedness Month — Make Your Plan Today

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our community continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.

Make a plan today! Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect our area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Visit readyventuracounty.org

Bilingual report — County of Ventura Launches Farmworker Household Assistance Program

he Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 1 approved the program design of the Farmworker Household Assistance Program, providing up to $250,000 in county general funds to match private donations made through the Ventura County Community Foundation.

The program aims to provide farmworkers financial relief from the impacts of COVID-19. Farmworkers may apply for this funding assistance from September 1 at 5 p.m. through September 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. at www.vchsa.org/FHAP.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 27 — Tu Voto Cuenta

¡Vota de forma segura desde casa este noviembre!

Debido a la pandemia del COVID-19, por ley, cada votante recibirá una papeleta de votación por correo para las Elecciones Generales del 3 de noviembre. Su papeleta de votación será enviada por correo el 5 de octubre para promover el voto seguro desde casa. Usted no necesita solicitar una papeleta de votación para Votar Por Correo.

Los votantes no serán asignados a ningún centro de votación. Habrá 47 centros de votación disponibles en todo el Condado de Ventura que abrirán el sábado 31 de octubre hasta el Día de Las Elecciones, el martes, 3 de noviembre. Las 33 cajas de entrega estarán disponibles el 6 de octubre hasta el Día de las Elecciones.

Santa Maria Joint Unified School District Meal Program Changes

During the 1st Semester of Santa Maria Joint Union High School District’s Distance Learning, August 17, 2020 – December 18, 2020, the Food Service Department will provide walk-up and drive thru pick-up breakfast and lunch meal service at the student’s nearest comprehensive high school – Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley, and Ernest Righetti as well as at various locations throughout the community.

Please note that your student’s meal eligibility from the 2019-2020 school year will carryover into the 2020- 2021 school year through September 28, 2020. Please make sure you submit a new application either online at https://family.titank12.com/ or a paper application – available from food service staff, school community liaison’s office, school administration office and at the main District Office. If a new application is not received, effective September 29, 2020, students will need to pay for meals until a new application is processed and approved.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Aug. 24 — COVID-19 Testing Available – No cost. No appointment needed

Surgeon General Jerome Adams shares an important message for Americans: To slow the spread of coronavirus, each of us must continue to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and our loved ones. By doing just a few simple things, we can make a big difference.

As Labor Day approaches, in a couple of weeks, please don’t make plans to gather with others. BBQ’s and parties are a usual tradition on holiday weekends but it’s important that we fight COVID together by not gathering.

These steps are challenging and inconvenient but they can make a big difference in bringing down our numbers and saving lives.Please only gather with members of your household. Please wear masks in public places and practice social distancing.
Together we can fight COVID-19.

Bilingual report — CEC Launches Program to Continue Responding to Frontline Community Needs During COVID-19

Community Environmental Council announces Community Ambassador Resilience and Equity Response (CARER), a new pilot program aimed to foster community resilience and support climate justice efforts by responding to immediate needs of frontline communities during the pandemic.

CARER’s primary goal is to provide critical outreach to frontline community members, sharing resources and information related to COVID-19 public health, food access, and tenant rights. One way they are doing this is by conducting direct bilingual outreach to frontline community members and convening online or phone-based house meetings.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — APCD Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County. Smoke from wildfires burning throughout the state, including in Monterey County, are affecting local air quality, and conditions may continue over the next several days. Due to elevated temperatures and stagnant air conditions, we are also experiencing increased ozone levels in regions of the county.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) Receives a $5,000 Grant from Farmers Insurance®

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) recently received a $5,000 grant from Farmers Insurance® to help fund COVID-19 relief efforts.

The grant will help provide healthy meals, high-speed internet access and academic support, vital enrichment programming to bridge gaps in virtual learning, social & emotional learning and more for vulnerable families and youth.

Food Share Partners with SoCalGas to bring the ‘Fueling Our Communities’ program to Ventura County

Food Share, Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization, has partnered with Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) to bring the “Fueling Our Communities” program to Ventura County with drive-thru meal distribution events in Santa Paula and El Rio community in Oxnard. The events, which were funded in part by the utility, provided more than 26,000 free meals to individuals and families struggling with food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 4 million pounds of fresh produce distributed during Covid response

Since mid-May, Food Share of Ventura County has provided a staggering 4.1 million pounds of fresh produce to people experiencing hunger in the county. 

The scale of food insecurity in Ventura County has nearly doubled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Current projections from Feeding America show that 115,000 people, including 42,000 children in our County, are now facing a daily struggle to access enough nutritious food. 

The fresh produce is a result of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Farmers to Families Food Box Program.” Oxnard-based wholesale produce distributor, The Berry Man, was approved to deliver the first 3.6 million dollars of a 14.7 million dollar contract to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to nonprofits throughout the Tri-Counties Area. The majority of the produce is locally-grown. 

Bilingual commentary — Time to Reflect on the American Diet

The apparently never-ending coronavirus pandemic has punched a hole in the panorama that was our American diet up to now.  Suddenly, beginning earlier this year, meat became scarce.  Delicately balanced supply chains were knocked off-balance, partly due to meat production workers “dropping like flies” as the virus surged through factories and warehouses. Meat counters in grocery stores became sparse and the cost of the meat that was available started to rise due to demand for the limited supply. Major grocery outlets started rationing quantities of meat to its customers to avoid the toilet-paper-hoarding fiasco that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic.

County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for Aug. 3

Here’s your COVID-19 update from the County of Ventura from Friday-Sunday. There are 533 new cases today (231 (43.3%) of which have a lab collection from July 27th or earlier), 4,217 additional people tested, and 0 additional deaths; this includes reports from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Current doubling time is 43.8 days.

Bilingual report — Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Online Meal Program Application & Cafeteria Pre-Pay

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District announces its policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 22

Here’s your County of Ventura COVID – 19 update:

94 new cases

6,049 total cases

1,524 new people tested

3,100 recovered cases

90 hospitalized

22 current ICU

2,886 active cases under quarantine

63 deaths (1 additional death – 84 year old female with comorbidity)

98,648 total people tested

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 20 — Food Share Pop-Up Pantry Schedule for the Week of 7/20

7/20 3pm Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura

7/20 12pm St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai

7/21 5pm Food Share of Ventura County, 4156 Southbank Rd., Oxnard

7/22 3pm College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard

7/23 3pm Conejo Creek South, 1300 Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks

7/24 3pm Harding Park, 1330 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula

7/25 12:30pm Ruben Castro Charities, Career Education Center, 5700 Condor Dr., Moorpark

Outdoor dining and additional businesses now open at The Collection

Several additional businesses have recently reopened at The Collection at RiverPark for the community to enjoy this summer.

Many restaurants and stores at The Collection remained open throughout the pandemic as essential businesses, and several others have reopened over the past several weeks. The businesses that have most recently reopened include:

July 2020 – Meal Distribution Julio 2020 – Distribución de Comidas

Breakfast and lunch meals provided for Children 18 & Under Desayuno y almuerzo para Niños 18 & Menores  

WHEN / CUANDO July 6/6 de julio – July 31/31 de julio Meals for Tuesday will be given on Monday and meals for Thursday and Friday will be given on Wednesday. Las comidas para el martes se darán los lunes y las comidas para el jueves y viernes se darán los miércoles.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 update for July 6 — COVID-19 drive through testing sites. No cost. No insurance needed. No appointment needed

Ford Dealership, 128 S. Hallock Dr., Santa Paula, CA 93060 M-F, 10-7

Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark, CA 93021 M-F, 10-7

Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard, CA 93033 F-T, 10-7

Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Rd., Ventura CA 93003, M-F, 10-7

Testing also available at all County clinics and state sites. Information in the attached pdf.

Port of Hueneme and Partners Host 20th Farmworker Food Distribution at the Friendly City by the Sea

The Port of Hueneme and local community partners Clinicas Del Camino Real, Lujan Transport Inc., Port customer Del Monte and more, as part of the Feeding the Frontline, Feeding our Farmworkers effort, have hosted 20 food distributions across the County of Ventura. The Port has played an important role in coordinating these events and bringing together different partners to help address the current food scarcity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest event was held on Saturday, June 27 at the Orvene S. Carpenter Community Center in Port Hueneme and had the full support of the City of Port Hueneme.