Mission

The Roots of Change (ROC) Fund is a foundation supporting work to catalyze the transition to a healthier food system and a healthier environment in California. The ROC Fund aims to increase the human and financial resources devoted to this issue, strengthen this emerging field, and support work toward systemic progress.

The goal of the ROC Fund is to transform California food systems by identifying and providing funding for high-leverage opportunities to support the transition to sustainable food systems.

History

The ROC Fund was launched by the Funders for Sustainable Food Systems FSFS – formerly the Funders Agriculture Working Group (FAWG). FSFS is a foundation working group that educates the philanthropic community on how sustainable food systems are a critical component of California's long-term sustainability. This group was founded in 1999 to educate funders and foundation staff on the issues, organizations, and leaders in this field.

In early 2001, the funders released Roots of Change: Agriculture, Ecology, and Health in California, a report that consolidated information from policy makers, farmers, scientists and activists in the food systems field and data from multiple state agencies. This report makes the case that multiple environmental, social, and economic problems in California can be addressed simultaneously by a systemic transition to sustainable food systems. In consultation with stakeholder groups through feedback sessions, individual interviews, and workshops, the funders identified the major barriers to systemic change. The ROC Fund was established to address these barriers.

Staff

Michael Dimock, Executive Director Michael has worked in the agricultural sector for 17 years. After working for a multinational agribusiness company in Europe and California, Michael became focused on sustainable agriculture and high value marketing strategies to ensure that small and medium size producers would survive amidst global corporate consolidation. From 1992 to 2006 he founded and directed Ag Innovations Network , a nonprofit that provides strategic planning and consensus building services to rural communities, farming and food companies, NGOs, and government agencies focused on sustainability. From 2000 to the present he has been a central actor in the international Slow Food Movement, both as Chairman of Slow Food International (until January of 2006) and a member of the Slow Food International Board. He has also been Chairman of the Board of Community Farm Alliance CFA , the state's oldest organization dedicated to sustainable family farms. Michael came to the ROC Fund following his leadership, as a grantee, of the ROC effort to build a statewide leadership network.

Nicole Mason, Program Manager Nicole worked in agriculture and sustainable food systems both nationally and abroad. After studying International Agriculture and Development at Cornell University, Nicole spent one year researching organic cropping systems in New Zealand. Once back in the US, Nicole moved to New York where she worked at the New York Botanical Garden and taught classes in plant science and botany. Prior to working at the ROC Fund, Nicole served as Program Director for an environmental organization focused on local, sustainable agriculture and cuisine. Her main focus was on connecting local farmers to markets in New York City.

Wheel

This is the Roots of Change Wheel. This visual representation of California food systems depicts the interdependent and connected nature of the many elements linked to food systems. Each component of the wheel represents a key issue area that is linked to a common root - our food system. For the individual symptoms of each issue to be addressed, the food system as a whole must be considered. Similarly, a systemic transition to sustainable food systems in California would address multiple issue areas simultaneously.

The wheel is currently under construction. It will soon be a dynamic and interactive tool explaining how each of the issues are interlinked with one another, how each issue area is a critical piece of the current food system, and details on what these sectors would look like if California transitioned to a food system that supported its communities, economies, ecosystems, and citizens.

Participating Events

Digital Be-In 15: Biomimicry