The Gualco Group, Inc. was pleased to gather at our roundtable recently a distinguished group of farm, fork and friends to inform the equally distinguished leaders of the new UC Davis World Food Center (WFC), as it ramps up its presence and impact. Founding Director Roger Beachy, an internationally recognized plant researcher and veteran agricultural administrator, briefed us on plans to use WFC “convening power” to “stimulate our local innovation economy by helping startups succeed faster, become an economic driver in the region and connect research to the marketplace globally.” Dr. Beachy’s broad international experience augurs for success. Before opening the doors as the WFC founding director, he was appointed by President Obama as the first director of the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture, previously served the USDA as chief scientist and as a University of Peking professor. He is a recipient of the prestigious Wolf Prize in Agriculture and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences.
The WFC is an ambitious endeavor, building on the strengths of its home state and home campus. Our informal circle of advisors confirmed that direction. The group of restaurateurs, growers, a grocer, a commercial real estate executive and state officials joined to hear the exciting story of WFC’s exploratory relationships with major foundations and plans to focus on the San Jaoquin Valley — one of the globe’s most productive agricultural regions. “We will ask bigger questions about food, health and nutrition,” the director said, “and do bigger things to feed and nourish the world.” It is a bold vision being calibrated to serve Sacramento, California and our planet.
We urge you to visit and follow the WFC: http://worldfoodcenter.ucdavis.edu
If you eat and you live in California, the WFC is important to you.