SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss opportunities for enhancing local food production at its upcoming meeting on Dec. 4.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N St., Main Auditorium, Sacramento.

“Throughout California we have amazing stories of local farmers and ranchers using innovation and technology to increase their connection to consumers and enhance sales opportunities for locally grown foods,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Farm to fork has engaged consumers like never before and my hope is to further enhance this connection at the local, regional and statewide level.”

Invited speakers include: Raja Ramachandran; ripe.io; Paula Daniels, Center for Good Food Purchasing; Linda Mallers, FarmLogix; Zenobia Barlow and Karen Brown, Center for Ecoliteracy; and Robyn Krock, Valley Vision. The board will also have a discussion with locally-based representatives involved within Farm to Fork efforts

“It’s great to see how new technologies and efforts are underway to better connect farmers with purchasers,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “This is not just direct farm-to-consumer sales, but new sales connections to retailers, school districts and food service institutions for local farmers and ranchers.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.

Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard.