Category: Food

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…

Two Wineries Added to Santa Barbara County Farm Day

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Two wineries are part of the inaugural Santa Barbara County Farm Day coming up Saturday, September 28. On Farm Day, Hermanas Vineyard & Winery and Riverbench Vineyard will join 10 Santa Maria Valley ranches, nurseries and agricultural organizations…

Oxnard Salsa Festival is this weekend!

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   THIS WEEKEND! Don’t miss it! Live Spicy! Eat Spicy! Come to the 26th annual celebration of everything salsa – the food, the music, and the dance. On the menu this weekend at Plaza…

Sweet Summer Fruits offered at the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association

VENTURA — It’s a great season for summer fruits according to the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA).  With a heavy rainy season, the VCCFMA reports that the tree fruit is proving to be extra sweet and plentiful, although bringing…

Tacos Don Chente Earns Top Award In Oxnard Salsa Festival’s Salsa Recipe Contest/Professional Division

OXNARD — After two hours of sampling salsas from eight restaurants and specialty groceries, 10 judges cast their votes for winners in the 2019 Oxnard Salsa Festival’s Salsa Recipe Contest/Professional Division. Tacos Don Chente came away with the Judges Choice…

Ventura College Foundation Marketplace Looks To Expand Number Of Saturday Produce & Prepacked Food Vendors

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, which operates every Saturday and Sunday on the Ventura College campus, is looking to expand the number of Saturday produce and pre-packaged food vendors. The Marketplace attracts between 2,000 and 5,000 visitors each…

Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market at the Oaks Shopping Center Closes for 4th of July Holiday

THOUSAND OAKS — The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ held at the Oaks Shopping Center from 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays will close Thursday, July 4 in observance of the 4thof July holiday.  All other markets within the Ventura County Certified…

Community Action Commission Partners with School District to Provide Meals to Seniors in Santa Barbara County

SBUSD Food Service Now Creates Healthy Food for All Ages GOLETA —  Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC) announces a contractual agreement between its Senior Nutrition program and Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) Food Service to provide…

Bilingual report: CalFresh Food Benefits Available to People Receiving Supplemental Security Income

VENTURA — The Human Services Agency announced that as of June 1, 2019, Supplemental Security Income/Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP) recipients may be eligible to receive CalFresh food benefits. CalFresh food benefits stretch household budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious food,…

Entries Now Open For 2019 Oxnard Salsa Festival’s “Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge”

OXNARD — Do you have a salsa recipe that everyone raves about? Here’s an opportunity to show off your creation by entering the “Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge,” taking place Sunday, July 28 during the 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The…

CSUCI receives grant to support food program for students

CAMARILLO — Their earning power will increase once they receive their degrees, but while students are still attending CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI), they sometimes need help affording groceries. So, CSUCI launched the Basic Needs Program, which helps students with food…

Finalists Are Set for the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival’s ‘Berry Blast Off’ Recipe Contest

OXNARD — Two finalists were selected during the semi-finals round of the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival‘s “Berry Blast Off” Recipe Contest.” The finalists will now compete for top honors during the festival taking place at Strawberry Meadows of College…

Jackson Legislation to Combat Tobacco Waste Passes Key Committee

SACRAMENTO — State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)’s legislation to combat tobacco waste by establishing a comprehensive tobacco waste reduction program passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee today on a 5 to 1 vote. Cigarette butts are the most common…

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market to open newest store on April 25 in Camarillo

WHAT: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, extreme-value grocery retailer, is opening a new store in Camarillo, creating 29 new jobs in the community. Leslie and Chad Trask, the Camarillo store’s independent owner-operators, invite the community to attend the grand opening celebration…

Many Mansions, Assistance League of Ventura County and The Discovery Centers of Science and Technology to benefit from proceeds of 2019 Rebozo Festival on May 19

OXNARD — Rebozo Festival, Inc. is pleased to announce its 15th Anniversary, which will be held on Sunday, May 19th, 2019 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at Camarillo Ranch. Proceeds from the 2019 Rebozo Festival will benefitPrimary Recipient: Many Mansions,…

Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association Announces New Location & New Hours for the Thousand Oaks Market Held at the Oaks Shopping Center

Relocation Move Date Set for March 21 THOUSAND OAKS — The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market held at the Oaks Shopping Center will soon have a new location and new market hours.  The Thousand Oaks market, operated by the Ventura County…

2019 California Strawberry Festival Seeks Submissions for Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest

OXNARD — Entry applications are now available for the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival‘s “Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest.” Strawberry-themed recipes that show exceptional creativity and culinary flair will be selected to compete in the contest. Submissions must be original,…

Bilingual commentary: When Diet Is Our Religion

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. By David Magallanes •…

Assemblymember Limón Introduces New Legislation for Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation Tools

SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 409 by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) which seeks to make climate change adaptation tools more readily available to farmers and agricultural businesses was introduced. California is home to just over 77,000 farms and ranches and as a…

36th Annual California Strawberry Festival Seeks Sponsors

OXNARD — The 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival, taking place May 18 and 19 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard, is seeking corporate sponsors and exhibitors. Each year, the festival attracts nearly 60,000 visitors. Festivalgoers come from throughout…

Pioneer Valley High School culinary arts students learn about food handing production

SANTA MARIA — Culinary Arts students at Pioneer Valley High School are getting a first-hand look at how a restaurant handles food production in an effort to help them prepare and earn a ServSafe Managers Certificate. The certificate, which is valid…

Bilingual report: Food benefits now available for Ventura County wildfire victims

SACRAMENTO –The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) today announced that, as part of the continuing disaster recovery effort, individuals and families impacted by the wildfires in Ventura County may be eligible to receive one month of Disaster CalFresh food…

Community Invited Back to Continue Taking Action on Food System in Santa Barbara County

SB County residents and organizations encouraged to join in network for a sustainable food future for Santa Barbara County Tuesday, November 13, 2018 6 PM – 8 PM  Santa Barbara Public Library Faulkner Gallery Building Our Resilient Food System: Cultivating…

Carnegie Art Museum update — Día de los Muertos Free Family Day on Nov. 3

Click here for the entire e-newsletter UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS Free Family Day Saturday, November 3                                                              noon- 3 pm       Free The Carnegie Art Museum celebrates Día de los Muertos as we honor our departed ones through music, dance and a variety of…

Carnegie Art Museum update for Oct. 25 — Day of the Dead Altar / Ofrenda, other upcoming events

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Day of the Dead Altar/Ofrenda Carnegie Art Museum’s  Día de Los Muertos Altar presented at the 2018 Fiesta Noche de Recuerdos on October 20th, honors several who gave notable service to the community,…

Winners Named in Oxnard Salsa Festival’s Salsa Recipe Contest/Professional Division

OXNARD — Judges spent two hours sampling salsas before casting their votes for winners in the 2018 Oxnard Salsa Festival’s Salsa Recipe Contest/Professional Division. The contest took place July 12 at La Dolce Vita in Oxnard’s Heritage Square. The 11…

Oxnard Salsa Festival Announces Participants For Its “Dancing With Our Community Stars Contest and Charity Fundraiser”

OXNARD — Five community leaders will take the stage and dance for charity during the “2018 Dancing With Our Community Stars Dance Contest and Charity Fundraiser,” Sunday, July 29 at 1 p.m. during the 25th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival in…

Oxnard Salsa Festival update for June 20

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Put your salsa recipe to the test!  Show off your homemade salsa, if it’s worth a dip, then prove it by entering the Oxnard Salsa Challenge of 2018 – Amateur Division recipe competition…

Oxnard School District announces Summer Nutrition Program offered at select locations

OXNARD — The Oxnard School District’s Child Nutrition Services department will offer a Summer Nutrition program at five school sites and three community beginning on Monday, July 2, 2018 and ending on Friday, July 27, 2018. Studies show that children are…

25th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival Seeks Sponsors

OXNARD — Sponsorship applications are being accepted for the 25th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The festival attracts over 40,000 attendees who love all things salsa–dance, music and food. The event is July 28 and 29, 2018 at Plaza Park, (Fifth…

Spring Season Brings Changes to the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association

VENTURA — Spring brings fresh offerings and changes to the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA). With the unpredictable weather over the last year, the season has changed and is affecting many of the fruits and their cycles. Farmers…

Bilingual report: Food benefits available for California Wildfire, and/or Mudslide victims

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) today announced that individuals and families impacted by the wildfires and/or mudslides in Santa Barbara or Ventura Counties may be eligible to receive one month of Disaster CalFresh food assistance. A family…

The Ventura College Campus Community Launches the “Pirates Treasure Chest”

VENTURA — In an effort to provide support for victims of the Thomas Fire, Ventura College has created a donation site called the Ventura College Pirates Treasure Chest. The Pirates Treasure Chest is located at Guthrie Hall and will be open Tuesday, Dec. 12 and…