Collaborations with local farmers, community gardens, farmers' markets and food-related micro-enterprises all can play a role in increasing poor families' access to food, says a UC Davis expert. Gail Feenstra, nutrition and food systems analyst with the statewide UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program at UC Davis will discuss these activities Tuesday, Nov. 17, in San Jose as guest speaker for the Community Food Security: Access for All conference. The meeting, sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension and the Greenbelt Alliance, will be held in room 107 of the United Way Building, 1922 The Alameda. "Disappearing farmland and increasing poverty affect food access for many people," says Feenstra. "We'll be identifying strategies to expand community gardens and exploring ways to increase food access through regional agriculture. "Research we've done shows that better links to area farmers and community gardening projects improve the quality and kind of food available to consumers," she adds. Feenstra says that micro-enterprises, like the one sponsored by the San Francisco League of Urban Gardens, are doubly effective. Young people associated with the league produce and sell specialty jams, salsas and herbal vinegar. "These projects empower local citizens by providing jobs and job training, as well as increase access to good food," Feenstra says.