Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Food Recovery Network Business Spotlight: Jordano’s Foodservice

The City of Goleta has launched the edible food recover program as part of SB1383 to help ensure edible food waste gets to community members struggling with food insecurity. We want to congratulate businesses who have been early adopters of joining this program, not only helping our community, but also helping reduce greenhouse gases generated by food waste.

Jordano’s was one of the first local Goleta businesses to sign up, and has been a leader in our City’s food recovery program. Recently, Karrie Reeves-Gilbraith, Food Safety & Compliance with Jordano’s Foodservice Inc., gave some insight into how businesses play a crucial role in edible food recovery.

Why do you participate in the Santa Barbara County Food Recovery Network and how long have you been donating food?

Jordano’s Foodservice has been donating food and other items for numerous years and from what I can tell it is just a part of who they are (Jordano Family). When I came aboard, I was provided the autonomy to broaden our reach and look for ways to make that happen. The team here at Jordano’s has worked together to make this come to fruition. The SB County Food Recovery Network helps facilitate helping others and it is rewarding to know you are a part of something worthwhile.

What is the most common food you donate and what food recovery organizations do you donate to the most?

I would say dairy, produce, and juice. However, you never know what may come up but on average these are the most common items. We donate the most to Friendship Manor in Goleta and the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission

Why should other organizations participate in the SB County Food Recovery Network? Any food recovery stories you’d like to share?

It is great for people, the environment, and making a difference where you can. Having a lot of produce at the onset of COVID-19, we began donating to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Rescue and other animal shelters when the product wasn’t at the high standard we maintain for distribution but certainly could help our animal friends.

Pictured left-to-right: James (Jordano’s), Eswin (Friendship Manor) and Karrie (Jordano’s)

Green Room: Zero Waste Picnics

Let’s all do our part to reduce waste and trash pollution. We can all contribute by learning more about Zero Waste principles and making changes in our day to day lives. Please read on to learn more about this month’s topic, Zero Waste Picnics, and stay tuned for future articles that will highlight Zero Waste lifestyle choices and tips in alignment with The Five R’s of Zero Waste.

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Summer in Goleta is the perfect time to get outdoors for a picnic with friends and family. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate some principles of Zero Waste: Refuse what you don’t need, Reduce what you do need, Reuse and repair what you already have, Recycle what you can’t use, and Rot (compost) the rest. Consider doing some of the following at your next outdoor gathering:

  • Use a reusable picnic basket, cooler, or tote bag if you do not have one already; extra points for upcycling! Picnic baskets are great for photos, but before purchasing one, ask yourself if you will use it that often. Check out neighbor-based social media apps like NextDoor, Facebook, or Craigslist to see if anyone is giving away their baskets/coolers/totes. Thrift stores are also great places to check for second-hand baskets.
  • Bring your own cups and dishes. Try to get creative with what cups and dishes you or your friends can bring from home. Restaurant takeout containers can be rinsed and used again, or if you already have reusable food containers get every single last use out of it (“reuse what you already have”). Coffee mugs, reusable water bottles, cloth napkins, trays, camping gear – see what is hiding in your cupboards or garage, or upcycle reusable goods that can replace single-use plates and cups.
  • If you do need knives, forks, and spoons, use what is already in your utensil drawer, or upcycle reusable cutlery if possible. All cutlery is portable if you can take it with you!
  • Bring your own condiments and skip the single-use condiment packets from restaurants. Single-use condiment packets contribute to litter at parks at beaches. Skip them all together by brining your own preferred sauces from home.
  • Use hand towels or cloth napkins instead of paper towels/napkins. Old large towels can also be cut into smaller squares. Most fabrics (like old t-shirts) can be used in place of paper-based cleaning products. Unpaper Towels are a nice update on traditional rags, and you can make these at home!
  • Plan your menu in advance with ingredients that do not have excessive plastic packaging. You could also see what leftovers or ingredients you already have that can be whipped up into a new dish. Another option is basing your menu off finger foods – that means there’s no need to bring any cutlery!
  • If you are bringing take-out food to a picnic, ask the restaurant to skip giving you plastic cutlery. Make sure to do this while you are placing your order – whether it’s by adding a comment with an online order, or letting the restaurant know in person or over the phone. Read more about the City of Goleta’s new ordinance on Single-Use Foodware.
  • For beverages that have to be bought in a store, choose metal cans or glass bottles over plastic. It’s understandably tempting to buy sodas and other beverages for a picnic. If that’s the case for your next get together, buy drinks that are in aluminum cans or glass bottles and be sure to reuse or recycle them. Please check out our guidance so you can Recycle Right!
  • Have a plan for your leftovers. Bring reusable food wraps, like beeswax sheets, mason jars, or any other food container you already have. You can also compost any leftover food scraps at home, but please check out our guidance so you Compost Correctly!

Along with these Zero Waste principles, you can also incorporate, “pack it in, pack it out” once you’re done with your outing. Be sure to check for litter that may have blown away from your immediate area, and make sure you do not leave anything else behind.

Stay tuned for future articles about how you can help Goleta achieve Zero Waste. For now, check out some things you can start today to get to Zero Waste: Spring Cleaning.

Single-Use Waste Ordinance Now in Effect

These days when you go into a Goleta restaurant, single-use foodware is only available upon request. Single-use foodware includes any utensils, condiment cups/packets, straws, stirrers, and splash sticks. The Goleta City Council adopted an ordinance to regulate single-use foodware accessories and standard condiments at their May 17, 2022, Council meeting, bringing Goleta into compliance with California Assembly Bill (AB) 1276. The City’s ordinance went into effect on June 17, 2022.

The new ordinance helps to regulate and reduce local single-use plastics and further divert waste from our landfills. The City encourages community members to utilize or bring reusable items whenever possible and take only what they need of single-use items available at local restaurants. Goleta restaurants can still use single-use foodware and bulk condiment dispensers for customer use, and of course provide all single-use items upon request. The City commends its residents and businesses for their commitment to working together to reduce single-use waste and improve its collective impacts upon the local environment. We are in this together!

Next, the City is looking into an ordinance to ban expanded polystyrene (EPS) foodware, following over 120 jurisdictions across California that already have restrictions on EPS to improve the health of safety of their communities and environment. 

Learn more about the new ordinance here. For more on the City’s Sustainability Program, go to https://cityofgoleta.org/sustainability.

Apply for a COVID-19 Microbusiness Grant

Businesses can still apply for the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program with emphasis on microbusinesses grants. The program is a partnership between the County of Santa Barbara, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate and the Santa Barbara Foundation. Applications opened in March and will remain open on a rolling basis until all funds are granted. 

Eligible microbusinesses that were adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic may apply for up to $2,500 in funding. Total available funds for Santa Barbara County microbusiness relief is more than $500,000.

Funding comes from the California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program that was enacted by California Senate Bill No. 151 (Government Code 12100.90). All interested parties are encouraged to review the grant program guidelines and additional information thoroughly. 

These funds are specifically for microbusinesses and administered by the state Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) through local government agencies and coalitions of nonprofit organizations/grantmaking entities to disperse the funds to microbusinesses and entrepreneurs. CalOSBA within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is charged with administering and providing oversight for the program.

To apply for a grant, please review the grant guidelines and important information before accessing and completing and application. Applications WILL NOT be accepted by email or fax. Applications will be time and date stamped and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. If interest persists and funds are still available, the application period may be extended. 

For questions or more information, please contact the Santa Barbara Foundation at (805) 963-1873. Applications may be submitted electronically via the Santa Barbara Foundation grants portal or printed and mailed in a sealed envelope to the Santa Barbara Foundation, 1111 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. To hand deliver, please bring the sealed application to the above address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Santa Barbara County Community Data Dashboard Update

The Santa Barbara County Community Data Dashboard has transitioned to a new format utilizing data from the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) COVID-19 Dashboards. This change marks an important step in the COVID-19 response as County Public Health routinizes the reporting of COVID-19 data for long-term monitoring of the virus in Santa Barbara County. Leaning on data from CDPH is a practice various Counties have adopted as part of their ongoing strategy. Local data will continue to be monitored and reviewed by local epidemiologists on a routine basis.

“Through the course of the pandemic our epidemiology team has worked diligently to ensure high quality data is available for our policy leaders, healthcare partners, and our community at-large,” shared County Public Health Director, Van Do-Reynoso. “This shift to the use of CDPH data will allow our County Public Health team to continue monitoring COVID-19 data while refocusing on other critical health data, including chronic diseases and social determinants of health.”

The new dashboard will continue to be updated on Tuesday and Friday and will focus in on key metrics such as case count, hospitalizations, vaccination, and testing. It will be located in the same site on the COVID-19 Information Portal as the current dashboard for continued ease of access. The current Community Data Dashboard will be archived on July 1. For more information, please visit the Dashboard Transition FAQ’s webpage.

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children Under 5

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized for Emergency Use

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has endorsed recommendations that all children 6 months through 5 years should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This announcement follows the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of the pediatric vaccine. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup has also approved these recommendations. With this authorization, approximately 27,900 children under the age of 5 are now eligible to be vaccinated in Santa Barbara County. All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated. 

Vaccines are available locally. Parents/caregivers should check in with their children’s pediatrician about vaccine availability and can also visit vaccines.gov and myturn.ca.gov to see where vaccines for children are available. Children in this younger age group can be vaccinated with whichever vaccine is available, either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech.

Children under 5 years of age may receive one-tenth of the adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in a 3-shot series. Alternatively, children 5 years of age and younger may receive one-quarter of the adult dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in a 2-shot series. Smaller needles, designed specifically for children, are used for this age group. COVID-19 vaccine dosage does not vary by patient weight but by age on the day of vaccination.

According to the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, since March 2020 approximately 2,000,000 cases of COVID-19 have occurred among those less than 5 years of age in the U.S, resulting in approximately 20,000 hospitalizations and approximately 200 deaths, and that there have been a disproportionate number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths among African-American, Hispanic-Latino and Native American children in this age group. Completion of either vaccine series produced antibody levels similar to those achieved in individuals ages 18 -25 years for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and 16- 24 years for Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. Observed vaccine reactions among infants ages 6-12 months and children ages 1 through 5 years were consistent with reactions to other vaccines routinely recommended for use in these age groups.

More information: https://publichealthsbc.org/vaccines-for-kids-under-5/.

Settlement Reached in Winchester Canyon Cannabis Land Use Project

The City of Goleta and Hidden Trails, LLC (“Hidden Trails”) reached a settlement in Hidden Trail’s proposed cannabis project at 222 Winchester Canyon Drive. The settlement agreement obligates Hidden Trails staff to have in place a robust odor response complaint and remediation process and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitoring system.

The 17.23-acre outdoor cannabis and indoor processing project is located on 349 acres of agriculturally zoned property in the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara (“County”). Operations would be located approximately 3,000 feet from the City of Goleta boundaries. Before Hidden Trails may cultivate cannabis, Hidden Trails must construct the project, including installing security fencing and cameras, and apply for and obtain a County Business License and State Cannabis licenses. Operations of the cannabis project are at least 10 months out.

All parties are committed to preventing odor episodes, to developing an objective, measurable way to detect odor, and to utilizing weather monitoring and technology to pinpoint odor sources. If odor is reported and verified, Hidden Trails is required under the terms of the settlement to immediately implement a series of steps to identify the source and mitigate odor. If odor problems recur, Hidden Trails will continuously review their operations and systems and, if they are inadequate, will upgrade their odor control equipment and employ additional mitigation measures to ensure their neighbors do not experience adverse odors. Under the settlement agreement, Hidden Trails also will also train its employees to follow stringent operational protocols that it will implement during harvest periods to minimize odor.

Hidden Trails is also required to install a H2S monitor for its irrigation system so that any release of H2S levels at odor nuisance levels would be reported to the City within one hour of detection. In addition, Hidden Trails would not be allowed to irrigate with well water again until a corrective action plan has been approved by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD). Residents who smell H2S, which can released from agricultural and domestic wells in the region, should call 911 so that the County Fire Department, as first responders to H2S issues, can measure H2S levels and determine if any emergency response is necessary.

These actions represent today’s state-of-the-art approach to resolving odors associated with cannabis farms. If more advanced technology is developed in the future, the settlement agreement contemplates the implementation of the most current odor control systems. The City of Goleta and Hidden Trails are committed to working with the residents nearby to resolve any future issues.

Pictured: Map of project location

Participate in Parks and Rec Month this July!

Join Us by Downloading Calendar, Park Passport and by Taking a Selfie

One of the best parts about living in Goleta is the number of beautiful parks, recreational opportunities, and open spaces for all to enjoy. That’s why the City is especially excited to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month which begins today, July 1. The Goleta City Council issued a proclamation at its June 21, 2022, meeting to officially recognize July as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Goleta. In honor of this special month, the City wants to help the community celebrate all month long!

City of Goleta’s Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer said, “National Parks and Recreation Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Goleta’s 16 beautiful parks, the variety of recreation amenities available to the community, and the 14 breathtaking open spaces. Our goal is to get you outside this month especially to enjoy all Goleta has to offer.”

As a helpful tool to get you started, the City has created a fun-filled calendar of outdoor activities for July, highlighting an activity or event for each day of the month. Download the calendar in English or Spanish. Activities and events on the calendar are meant as suggestions or ideas but feel free to come up with your own way(s) to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month. The calendar also includes free clinics for various activities and sports at locations throughout Goleta as motivation to learn something new.

We also encourage you to explore all of our parks and open spaces in Goleta throughout July. Download our Park Passport in English or Spanish for a listing of all of the City’s parks and open spaces.

We would love to see you in action visiting our outdoor spaces – send a selfie and caption of what you like to lmendoza-vera@cityofgoleta.org for a possibility of seeing yourself on the City’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Please use the hashtag #RiseUp4GoletaParks.

Thanks for helping us celebrate our parks, recreation and open spaces and the important role they play in the quality of life we enjoy in Goleta. Keep up-to-date on Parks and Recreation Month by visiting our webpage.

Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer and Neighborhood Services Director Jaime Valdez receiving the July as Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation from Mayor Paula Perotte with the remaining Councilmembers standing behind.

Local Decisions for Goleta on the November 2022 Ballot

Voters to Determine Two Council Seats, a Flavored Tobacco Sales Ban and a 1% Sales Tax Measure

Voters in the City of Goleta will have a number of local decisions to make on the upcoming November 8, 2022, Ballot. At the June 21, 2022, Council meeting, the Goleta City Council approved putting before voters the election of two City Council seats, a flavored tobacco ban ordinance and a 1% Sales and Transaction Use tax measure. 

The upcoming election is a historic one for the City as it is the first by-district election in the City’s 20-year history. The City is divided into four districts and on November 8, 2022, voters in Districts 1 and 2 will elect a Council representative. Click here to put in your address and find out which district you are in. The Councilmembers will serve four-year terms expiring November 2026. The candidate filing period for the two City Council seats will be July 18, 2022, to August 12, 2022. 

Voters will also consider an ordinance banning the sales of flavored tobacco. While the City Council adopted an ordinance banning the sales of flavored tobacco in October 2021, a referendum petition against the ordinance was later submitted to the City Clerk’s Office. As a result, the issue will now go to the voters for consideration.

Also on the ballot, voters will consider an 1% (or 1¢ per dollar) Sales and Transaction Use Tax measure. After significant research, resident polling, and community engagement, the City Council voted in favor of letting voters decide on whether to increase Goleta’s Transaction and Use Tax by 1% to provide approximately $10.6 million annually in additional revenues to complete important unfunded projects, make repairs to aging streets and infrastructure, and fund the community’s priority programs. The increase would go into effect in January 2024. 

For more information, please reference the staff report at https://tinyurl.com/rr28zsk7 or watch a recording of the meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/2y28bvsz. You can also visit our Elections 2022 webpage at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections. 

Goleta’s Dam Dinner Returns August 20

We hope you will join us for the return of Goleta’s Dam Dinner! This year’s event will take place Saturday, August 20, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam. Due to COVID-19, this popular event had taken a hiatus, but we are thrilled to bring it back for 2022 and hope you will join us for this low-key, special gathering.

Goleta’s Dam Dinner is a free community event bringing together friends and neighbors. Tables and chairs are set-up by the dam with breathtaking views of Lake Los Carneros and the mountains. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic dinner or purchase food from this year’s food vendor, Goodland BBQ! Adult beverages will be for sale. This special event includes live music from local bluegrass group the Salt Martians who are no strangers to the Dam Dinner. There will also be activities for the kids, including a face-painter. Dam Dinner t-shirts will be for sale along with the City’s 20-year anniversary merchandise (t-shirts and mugs).

Goleta’s Dam Dinner is organized by the City of Goleta and Goleta Valley Historical Society with special thanks to Big Hammer Lures, Devereaux, MarBorg and Santa Cruz Market.

We hope to see you at the #BestDamDinner there is!