VENTURA COUNTY — Food processing in Ventura County is currently estimated to support about 1,480 jobs. That number could jump to between 2,680 and 5,450 new jobs, with relatively small-scale development, according to the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s new feasibility study, “Food Processing in Ventura County.” The report was released at EDC-VC’s 19th Annual Meeting on January 21.
At approximately 60 pages, the feasibility study focused on the need and opportunities presented by increasing the amount of local processing of Ventura County grown produce to support the agricultural community, create jobs, strengthen the county’s economy and help farmers diversify. It also identified specific food processing opportunities in the county, such as producing berry puree for use in pastries and other foods, making salsa and guacamole, and cutting and packaging carrot, celery and broccoli sticks for party trays. A copy of the 16-page executive summary is available at edc-vc.com.
The comprehensive document carries forward the work of the 2014 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which noted that the county has a relatively low level of food processing activity, despite its extensive high-value agricultural output.
Independent researchers interviewed Ventura County farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector and worked with the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. As a result, a number of specific interests in food products or processing opportunities were identified as areas to explore, including a food aggregation hub, avocado/citrus packing, cut fruit/veggies/sandwiches and wraps, salsa/guacamole, berry/fruit preserves and fruit pastries.
“Our interest is to assure the sustainability of our region’s agriculture sector, simultaneously diversifying job opportunity, improving regional food security and preserving regional quality of life as defined by a regional balance of the built and open space environments,” said Bruce Stenslie, president/CEO of EDC-VC.
Based on the feasibility study’s findings, it’s recommended that the county consider the following policies as part of its overall farmland land use policy:
- Create a more extensive list of allowable operations, to include cooking processes, farm education and research, and ancillary office space, and set a maximum based on percent of total facility space. Relevant SOAR vote requirements for land use changes would remain in effect.
- Concentrate new processing on more marginal farm land, which may include consideration of factors such as soil type, proximity to transportation infrastructure, availability of water for agricultural production, proximity to urban areas, size of parcel and suitability for high-value crop production. County zoning already acknowledges the importance of this type of evaluation and a process exists to review requests for agricultural land use changes with the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee.
- Require onsite wastewater treatment. The technological solutions to this issue exist and have been proven in Ventura County. (Note: this may result in the need to concentrate processing on larger parcels, possibly by concentrating several processing operations on one site.)
The “Food Processing in Ventura County” feasibility study was completed for EDC-VC by Applied Development Economics (adeusa.com) and the Hatamiya Group (hatamiyagroup.com). The study benefitted from the input and direction of the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and the county’s leaders in agriculture and farming. EDC-VC appreciates the Morgan Family Foundation’s (morganfamilyfoundation.org) grant contribution in support of this project.
EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the EDC-VC and its Small Business Development Center, and loan, manufacturing and international trade programs, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24, or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.