Feasibility Study
In 2021, the Ag Guild received a $166,082 grant from the US Department of Agriculture to fund planning of the Lopez Food Center Project. A Feasibility Study and Stakeholder Outreach funded by this grant corroborated a strong need for shared, cross-sector local food system infrastructure in SJC.
Focus Groups Report
37 participants representing farms, food-related businesses and organizations participated in the Project’s focus groups and interviews to discuss interests in potential Food Center services. Producers were enthusiastic for the opportunity to rent spaces in the Food Center for four main reasons:
Lack of suitable alternatives
Shared overhead costs
Efficiencies of proximity to other businesses
Collaborative dynamic within the facility
Stakeholders Report
Of the 88 participants who submitted responses in the 2022 Food Center Interest Survey, 43% represented local food businesses, 41% represented local farms, and 13% represented food-related organizations. 69 survey participants expressed interest in utilizing the Food Center.
