February 24, 2015 – Maybe you were caught up in Oscar buzz? Or maybe you were just relaxing after the AT&T Pro Am or a tough week at work? Either way, the good clean fun that the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation (GSAF) offered this weekend was so unexpectedly recharging and reinvigorating, one would have felt guilty if it weren’t for such a great cause.
The foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the general public about the agricultural industry through projects such programs as the AgKnowledge executive leadership program, A Greater Vision, More Produce in Schools and Budding Farmers.
Its first annual benefit concert, held February 20 at Corral de Tierra Country Club, was dubbed Guitars & Old Cars for Salad Bars and featured Doug Ranno and his band The Harvesting Crew. The goal was to raise money to support ag education and salad bars in schools, as well as raise awareness about the foundation.
For example, while there is growing recognition of the health and educational benefits that salad bars provide to kids, many school districts are unable to afford the basic equipment needed implement them. The foundation is committed to helping schools make this positive change by donating salad bars to Monterey County schools so that every child has daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Research shows that incorporating salad bars into school lunches increases children’s consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. When offered healthy food choices, children respond by trying new items, incorporating greater variety into their diets, and increasing their daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Through these early, positive experiences, students are better prepared for a lifetime of healthy eating.
“The event was a huge success,” says Nikki Rodoni, a foundation board member, “largely in part to the new executive director, Susan Marscellas, our board of directors, and all other community supporters including Doug Ranno.”
Ranno said he was “so happy to be a part of such a significant and positively impactful event—getting to play live music for people was just a bonus. A great way to enjoy encouraging such a noble effort.”
Sponsors seem to have agreed. Marscellas announced that Ocean Mist and Tanimura & Antle were new Gold Sponsors, joining this event because they support getting more salad bars in schools and promoting healthy food options for kids.
Ocean Mist CEO Joe Pezzini said he began serving on the foundation board because of his commitment to ag education, through A Greater Vision, a series of meetings organized by GSAF that features speakers and panel discussions with community members, academic researchers, elected officials, public agencies and agricultural representatives.
Tanimura & Antle executive vice president Mike Antle founded GSAF in 2003 to help educate the public about the agricultural industry.
Rio Farms and Church Brothers joined the association as new Silver Sponsors. This was alongside existing Silver Sponsors: American Takii, Drew Massa, Duncan Family Farms, Growers Express-Green Fresh Giant, Joy Jacobs Realty, PRO*ACT, Rijk Zwaan USA, Scheid Vineyards and Moncrieff & Hart.
A slew of silent auction donations were made by local families such as the Georis’ and those of Ranno and international sports legend Bobby Jones. Ranno donated two custom-made Musical Harvest guitars, which sparkled in between classic car displays. Wine donors included Scheid Vineyards, Kevin Olson Vineyards, K.T. Vineyards, J. McFarland Wines and Pierce Ranch Vineyards.
Not to rest on its laurels, the foundation’s next project is already underway.
It is selecting candidates for the 8th AgKnowledge class—a leadership program designed to provide local community leaders a unique, hands-on experience to see the inner working of the agriculture industry. Program Fellows commit to attending nine all day sessions over a period of nine months. These intensive sessions provide Fellows with a broad understanding of the agriculture industry and its local, national, as well as global impact.
“I am super proud and excited to be a part of this Foundation,” says Rodoni. “I feel as if the GSAF can help tell the story of what this industry is about and we have such a great story to tell. I say we because I grew up a farmer’s daughter.”
“People want to know how their food is grown, where it comes from, meet the growers who deserve so much respect for all their hard work for putting food on our table. Being a farmer is hard work, many challenges and risks are involved but the rewards of knowing they are putting food on peoples plate and feeding the nation even the world is something they are proud of,” she added.
Growers-Shipper Association Foundation
512 Pajaro St. | P.O. Box 828 | Salinas, CA 93902 | 831.422.8844
About the author
At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
