Photo: Noah Christman/SPUR

San Francisco Food and Beverage Industry Cluster Study

The San Francisco Planning Department, Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and San Francisco Planning and Urban Research (SPUR), supported by a steering committee of local businesses and food-related non-profit organizations, are developing an economic development strategy that supports the growth and expansion of the food industry cluster within San Francisco.

Like many other U.S. cities, San Francisco is experiencing a surge of interest in developing a more sustainable, equitable, and localized food system. At the same time, food manufacturing, processing and distribution businesses that provide a local link between producers and consumers find it difficult to start and expand within the city. 

Goals

  • Identify the opportunities and obstacles currently facing new and existing food businesses in the industrial sector
  • Fully define and articulate San Francisco's competitive advantage in food processing and distribution
  • Develop a set of policy and programmatic recommendations that address the obstacles and capitalize on opportunities to attract, retain, and expand industrial food businesses
  • Target recommendations to areas with greatest opportunities and return on investment
  • Create strong, mutually supportive business-to business networks that encourage innovation and synergy
  • Prioritize incorporation of more regionally sourced produce into San Francisco's food industry cluster
  • Develop diverse opportunities for urban job growth, retention, and skills/workforce development

Update

On November 5, 2014, the Planning Department and Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD), in collaboration with SPUR, released their report, Makers & Movers Economic Cluster Strategy: Recommendations for San Francisco Food & Beverage Manufacturers & Distributors. Thank you to all of the businesses and organizations that participated in creating this report.

Steering Committee Members as of December 2013

  • Paula Jones, SF Dept. of Public Health
  • Ted Egan, San Francisco Controller's Office
  • Michael Janis, SF Wholesale Produce
  • Bu Nygrens and Nicole Mason, Veritable Vegetable
  • Kate Sofis and Ferron Salniker, SFMade
  • Sam Mogannam, Bi-Rite Market/18 Reasons
  • Caleb Zigas, La Cocina
  • Dave McLean, Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery
  • Bill Russell-Shapiro, Absinthe Group

Project Management Team Contact Information

Lisa Chen, MCP/MPH
Senior Planner, Citywide Planning Division
628.652.7422
lisa.chen@sfgov.org

Eli Zigas
Food Systems and Urban Agriculture Program Manager
SPUR
(415) 644-4881
ezigas@spur.org

Tiffany Garcia
Business Development Manager
Office of Economic and Workforce Development
(415) 581-2322
tiffany.garcia@sfgov.org