Category: Food

United Way of Ventura County — This is the last week for our Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive!

United Way of Ventura County COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits Drive This is the last week for our Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive! We need 132 more care kits to reach our goal! Join United Way of Ventura…

Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) Launches New Website

The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) has launched a new website to better serve its patrons.

The new website is user friendly with more information on each of its four markets including a list of all the farmers/vendors who participate with VCCFMA.

Hospice of Santa Barbara Takes Part in Delivering 120 Lunches to Local Seniors

As a way to give back to our community in this time of need, Shalhoob’s and Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) delivered 120 meals from Shalhoob’s to the senior living complex Village Santa Fe Apartments, a Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara property. Hospice of Santa Barbara provided 12 volunteers who helped pack and deliver the meals donated by Shalhoob’s. 

How your United Way of Ventura County is responding to COVID-19

Over the past few months, COVID-19 has reshaped our lives and priorities in powerful ways. Here at your United Way, we’ve been collaborating with our community partners and adapting how we provide services so that we can better respond to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

In this moment of unprecedented uncertainty, we are incredibly thankful for our community partners, donors, and volunteers. They’ve stepped up to provide vital resources for our neighbors and friends who need it the most right now.

To learn more about how your local United Way is responding during this global pandemic, please take a moment to view my recent interview with OVTV.

SMJUHSD NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for Santa Maria Valley Children 18 & Under

MAY 11 – MAY 15, 2020
SANTA MARIA JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOLS
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
** Monday / Wednesday / Friday **
Meals for Tuesday will be given on Monday & Meals for Thursday will be given on Wednesday Ernest Righetti High – 941 E. Foster Rd
Pioneer Valley High – 675 Panther Dr.
Santa Maria High – Parking lot on Thornburg

Santa Barbara County Food Rescue Network Expands to Offer Critical Support to Those In Need

Santa Barbara County Food Rescue, a program of the Community Environmental Council (CEC), announces multiple collaborations to support county-wide efforts to feed those in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

Santa Barbara County Food Rescue matches donors that have excess, nutritious food with organizations serving food insecure populations. Since 2018, this CEC-led effort has coordinated the?rescue?of?nearly 60,000 pounds of edible prepared food?for?distribution?through?more than a dozen agencies,?including Buellton Senior Center, Casa Serena, PATH, and Salvation Army Hospitality House. Beyond helping people, food rescue mitigates climate impacts by keeping high-quality excess prepared food out of landfills, where it decomposes and emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Coronavirus — Food Share of Ventura County Emergency Food

Food Share of Ventura County is currently providing emergency food distribution pop-up pantries throughout the County to assist low-income families experiencing food insecurity.

Families experiencing food insecurity should attend the distribution location closest to their home city. The schedule changes each week. Please visit https://foodshare.com/covid19/ for the current schedule. 

Local PODS® Moving and Storage Supports Community Heroes

With the all too familiar stay-at-home orders, many local organizations like FOOD Share and local advocate Carolina G. Magana, are helping those who are food insecure. To support them during this crucial time, Local PODS® Moving and Storage are offering their services to help with food distribution throughout the county.

Santa Barbara County Food Action Network Announces Shakira Miracle as First Executive Director

The Santa Barbara County Food Action Network (SBCFAN) is proud to announce the selection of its first Executive Director, Shakira Miracle. Her hiring comes at a critical time when the strain and stress on our local food system is at an unprecedented high due to COVID-19.

State COVID-19 Case Rates and Pandemic Protection: A Metric for Decisions to Implement, Continue, or Relax Measures

State and terrritorial governors have implemented pandemic protection measures in order to interrupt and slow down the passage of the coronavirus throughout each state’s population. Some of these measures are implemented at the individual level, such as wearing a facemask or maintaining social distance. The risk of transmission is much higher among crowds of people in close proximity, so another set of measures operates at the group level, trying to keep large groups from forming by keeping potential members dispersed.

“Romaine lettuce tainted with E. coli can be recalled or removed from grocery stores to prevent transmission,” said Paul Hsu, an epidemiologist at UCLA. “When someone is infected with coronavirus, we have to rearrange social contacts to interrupt that person-to-person transmission.” Crowds at sporting events, audiences at concerts, and students in classrooms have been dispersed by cancelling games, events, and classes.

Santa Barbara County Nonprofits Collaborate to Meet Critical Needs of Isolated Seniors During COVID-19

Many of our older community members, particularly those living alone, are not receiving the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic. To address this gap, several nonprofits in Santa Barbara County have collaborated to identify isolated seniors and connect them to essential services or critical needs, such as food and supplies.

Vulnerable Individuals and Families in Santa Barbara County Assisted through COVID-19 Joint Response Effort; also Supports Nonprofits Assisting Those Impacted by Virus

United Way of Santa Barbara County, The Santa Barbara Foundation and the Hutton Parker Foundation are leading a countywide funders’ collaborative, the COVID-19 Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County.  The Effort will provide assistance to individuals and families as well as organizations actively assisting members of the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over $2 million has been secured and fundraising continues to help those most in need.

County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 21

VENTURA COUNTY — Good Evening, Here’s your daily update of regarding COVID-19 in the County of Ventura:   15 cases 443 total cases 230 recovered cases 28 hospitalized 11 in the ICU 200 active cases under quarantine 7,881 tested Zip…

Port Feeds Essential Workers During Crisis

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Port Feeds Essential Workers During Crisis Farmworkers, Healthcare Professionals, and Longshoremen April 21, 2020 For further information contact: Becky Haycox, Marketing and Communications Specialist The Port of Hueneme, Oxnard Harbor District 333 Ponoma…

Bilingual report: County of Ventura COVID-19 update for April 15

The Ventura County Public Health Officer announced that the Stay Well At Home Order will be extended until May 15, 2020. The current Order is set to expire April 19, 2020 at midnight. The Public Health Officer will be modifying the current Order and making an announcement about the details before the current Order expires.

Port of Hueneme — Del Monte Rises Up to Feed Our Community

Del Monte Fresh Produce (Del Monte), a top fresh fruit and produce customer at the Port of Hueneme, delivered a full truck load of fresh fruit to the City of Oxnard, helping those in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The Port couldn’t be more proud to see our customers stepping up to meet the needs of the community in these difficult times,” said Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jess Ramirez. “Del Monte has always invested their resources and energy to help the community, they are committed to our local families and have been since 1979.”

Bilingual report: Spring Break No Cost Breakfast, Lunch Meals ‚ April 13-17) for Santa Maria Valley Children

NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for Santa Maria Valley Children 18 & Under SPRING BREAK – APRIL 13-17, 2020 SANTA MARIA JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOLS 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ** Monday April 13th / Wednesday April 15th…

Bilingual report: Ventura County District Attorney Investigating Price Gouging Complaints

VENTURA — District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney’s Office has initiated several investigations against county businesses for potential violations of Penal Code section 396, price gouging. Since March 5, 2020, the District Attorney’s Office has received…

Bilingual report: NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for SMJUHSD and Valley Children 18 & Under

Santa Maria Joint Union High District Students and Parents, For the week of April 6th, our Food Service Department will provide walk-up and drive-thru pick-up lunch and breakfast meal service to all students from pre-Kinder to 12th grade, from 11…

Bilingual report: Santa Maria Joint Union High School District to update breakfast, lunch meal program next week

NO Cost breakfast and lunch meals provided for Santa Maria Valley Children 18 & Under   APRIL 6-10, 2020   SANTA MARIA JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOLS 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ** No meal service Friday, April 10, 2020 **…

Coronavirus Update: Community Action Commission Continues to Provide Meals to Seniors, Operate 2-1-1 Helpline in Santa Barbara County

Non-Profit Agency Pivots to Remain Open to Serve the Public During Pandemic GOLETA — Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) announces the following updates to two of its health and human service programs that serve county residents. These…

Ventura College Foundation Marketplace Closed Until Further Notice

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, which operates every Saturday and Sunday on the Ventura College campus, is closed until further notice. Ventura College is following the March 19 COVID-19 “Shelter In Place” executive order from California Governor Gavin…

2020 Oxnard Festival Cancelled

OXNARD — The 27th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, slated for July 25 and 26 in Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis. The festival will not be rescheduled for 2020. “We know cancelling the event…

Santa Paula Art Museum — Art to the Rescue!

Art and museum fun at home. Grab a Free Kids’ “Art To-Go” Bag at the Museum! The Santa Paula Art Museum has put together free kids’ “Art To-Go” bags filled with colored pencils, crayons, coloring pages, yarn, watercolor palettes, and…

SMJUHSD Offers Free Meal Service During the Closure

SANTA MARIA — During the closure of Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, March 16-April 3, 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…

Fourth Annual Ventura County Ag Week honored the importance of farmers and ranchers

VENTURA — From March 9th through March 15th Totally Local VC Agricultural Foundation presented its fourth annual Ventura County Ag Week, a celebration of all that our county’s local farmers and ranchers do. Despite the challenges facing the world, many of…

School Meal Service Widely Available in Ventura County During Closures

VENTURA COUNTY — School districts throughout Ventura County will continue providing meal service for students during closures that being Monday, March 16 in response to the coronavirus. For many students, school-provided meals are a critical part of their daily diet. While…

Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) Announces Status During the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak … Thousand Oaks Farmer’s Market Relocation Postponed

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) is committed to maintaining its four farmers markets as a vital food facility and local food source during this time of uncertainty with the spread of COVID-19.   As a result,…

Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers’ Market Announces New Location at the Oaks Shopping Center……Relocation Move Date Set for March 26, 2020

THOUSAND OAKS — The Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers’ Market held at the Oaks Shopping Center will soon have a new location.  The market, operated by the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA), will move from its former site at the…

Calling All Farm-To-Table Chefs: ‘Flavors of Santa Barbara County’ Culinary Competition Is Slated For August 2 at Presqu’ile Winery

SANTA BARBARA — Preparations are underway for the first “Flavors of Santa Barbara County” wine and culinary event featuring a farm-to-table chef competition set for Sunday, August 2 at Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria. The cook-off will feature chefs who…

Through March 7 — 20th Anniversary of World of Pinot Noir to be held at Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — The 20th Anniversary of World of Pinot Noir takes place at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara through Saturday, March 7, 2020. The annual event gathers the planet’s foremost Pinot Noir wineries and winemakers, renowned chefs, sommeliers…

Sept. 19 — Santa Barbara County Farm Day Begins With Virtual Tour Of Santa Maria Valley’s Babé Farms

Santa Barbara County Farm Day will kick off at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19 with an online tour of Babé Farms.

Offered by Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), Santa Barbara County Farm Day is now in its second year. Farm Day is an opportunity for the public to visit local growers to see how crops are grown, harvested and sent to market. This year, tours will be virtual.

Oct. 29 — Bilingual report — Community Food & Farming Discussion Series: Food Access and Food Security / Acceso a Los Alimentos y Seguridad Alimentario

How do we (and how can we better) meet the basic food needs of our entire community and ensure fair access to local food resources?

This discussion will highlight current efforts to support and care for our County’s vulnerable populations by ensuring access to nutritious and affordable food, and opportunities to scale and deepen these efforts.

Thanksgiving came early for Delta High School

SANTA MARIA — Thanksgiving came early for Delta High School students and staff. The “Delta Thanksgiving Feast” and activities was held Nov. 22 at the Orcutt campus. About 340 students and 30 staff were expected to get stuffed. “Delta is one…

Community Invited to Take Action on Local Food System Reform

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Launch of County-Wide Food Action Network encourages residents and organizations to collaborate for a sustainable food future Wednesday, December 4, 2019 6 PM – 8 PM Santa Barbara Public Library Faulkner Gallery Using…

California mulls new rules for cancer-causing pesticide 1,3 D or Telone

On heels of chlorpyrifos ban, public health and farmworker advocates call for restrictions on widely-used drift-prone fumigant Sacramento — Dozens of residents from across the state converged on the capital today to weigh in on new restrictions under discussion for the…

Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association Announces Holiday Hours

VENTURA — The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association announces its holiday hours for 2019. The Midtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market held on Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  …

Bilingual commentary: Is Organic Food Really Healthy? Part I

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David…

Bilingual report: Ventura County WIC Program wins USDA breastfeeding award

OXNARD — The Ventura County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program on Sept. 30 was presented with the nationally recognized, “Gold Level, Loving Support Award of Excellence” by the United States Department of Agriculture. Ventura County WIC received this award…

United by a common ingredient for a common cause, chefs, bars, bakers and makers team up for Food Forward’s ‘Harvest Change’ campaign in Ventura, Los Angeles counties

Harvest Change Kick-Off Party to be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at Topa Topa Brewing Co. in Ojai. 20 notable SoCal food leaders will feature pomegranates in a month of dishes, drinks, desserts supporting Food Forward’s mission to rescue…

Farmworker communities applaud California chlorpyrifos cancelation proceedings, alternatives work group

Community members relieved, urge speedy process VENTURA — The Newsom administration on Aug. 14 sent notices to Dow and other manufacturers of its intention to cancel all registrations of the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos, the formal start of proceedings to cancel…