JUNTOS Initiative

Growing Sustainably aims to increase urban food system awareness and engagement, reduce access barriers to natural spaces, and raise environmental literacy in low-income, Central San Jose communities. Led by CommUniverCity, and with funds from the Open Space Authority, 1,850 residents (1,400 students and 112 families) will learn about urban agriculture and environmental science through hands-on lessons, field trips, and family education kits. They will garden at schools and home, visit an urban farm, and experience San José 's Kelley Park.

RIDESV is a three year monthly bike ride series working with partner organizations to enhance access to open space. The partner organizations include those focused on environmental issues as well as those working directly with low income populations. The program aims to increase bicycling as a sustainable form of transportation, connect people to open space, and share knowledge among partner organizations to educate participants.

The Authority contributed funds to the Santa Clara County Food System Alliance project which addresses the issue of economic and social viability of small-scale urban and peri-urban agricultural operations in Santa Clara County. The Alliance will produce a report that highlights potential models for creating successful small-scale agricultural operations and identifies marketing and distribution systems that expand healthy food access by linking a viable urban and peri-urban agricultural system to residents of Santa Clara County, particularly underserved communities. The report will also provide recommendations illustrating how to implement potentially successful models in the county. The data and recommendations in the report will be useful for policymakers, elected officials, partner organizations, beginning and existing small farmers, and they will feed into the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy process and Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone implementation.