CHAMPioning SaCRAMENTO’S food ecosystem

Food Frontier™ is a pioneering initiative founded by industry leaders to promote, bolster and champion the Sacramento Valley's vibrant food ecosystem and catalyze growth.

Our mission is to advance Sacramento Valley globally as the world's preeminent region for food innovation through strategic marketing, consulting and global hospitality.

Image Source:  Fat Acid Studio
Image Source: Family Meal Sacramento

PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF FOOD

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PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF FOOD •

OUR REGION’s ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT A GLANCE

1.5M

Acres of FarmlanD

30B

regional food
& Ag impact

~300K

Attendees per year
of food festivals & conferences

40

regional farmers markets, including
the largest in state

7200

farms

149

food & ag
based nonprofits innovating

Sacramento Valley health system’s innovate food as medicine with chef-led mealS

Leads the U.S. in speciality crop production

Michelin Guide acknowledges America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital in 2019.

Raley’s and Nugget rethink retail, local procurement, & consumer shopping habits.

central kitchen:
1 kitchen, 80 schools,
43K freshly prepared meals/daily

UC Davis IS THE #1 Ag University in the World

James Beard Recognition*

*7 Boot Camp Alumni, 4 Semi-Finalists, 2 Award Nominees

WHAT WE DO

Food Frontier operates as a strategic connector, advisory consultancy group and amplifier, supporting partners through three main channels: network building and activation (including international study missions and collision events), innovation championing (through storytelling and media campaigns), and strategic advisory services (offering food innovation consulting and market entry guidance). With a $30B regional food & agriculture economy as its foundation, Food Frontier serves as a collective force that brings together local organizations, regional leaders, and industry innovators while marketing the region's food assets on a global scale.

Partners benefit from Food Frontier's unparalleled network access, deep industry expertise, and strong institutional partnerships, with the organization acting as both a champion and facilitator for the region's robust food ecosystem.

    • Partnership strategy 

    • Food innovation consulting

    • Market entry guidance

    • Partnership development

    • Food innovation storytelling

    • Digital content creation

    • Media relations and earned media campaigns

    • Partner amplification

    • International Study Missions

    • Food Frontier Collision Events 

    • Industry convening and relationship facilitation

THE TEAM

  • Co-Founder of Food Frontier, CEO/Founder of Honey

    Fueled by a passion for connecting brands with their audience, Meghan specializes in the powerful art of storytelling combined with design that resonates and inspires the food, beverage, cannabis, and agriculture sectors. She is also a passionate advocate for community, policy, and young entrepreneurs.

  • Co-Founder of Food Frontier, Owner/Executive Chef of Canon, Franquette, Cantina Pedregal

    The Michelin-recognized and 2018 Tower Bridge Dinner chef began his career in Sacramento at 16 years old. After receiving his first Micheline start at SolBar in Calistoga, Brad returned to Sacramento opening opening a series of restaurants over the last 7 years. In 2020, Brad, alongside his two co-founders, created Family Meal Sacramento, a philanthropic program focused on food insecurity that has served more than 2 million meals to those in need in the Sacramento Region.

  • Co-Founder of Food Frontier, Assistant Director for Nutrition Services for Sacramento City Unified School District

    With 13+ years in federal child nutrition programs, Kelsey is a leader in child nutrition and food systems development. Starting at the California Department of Education during the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act implementation, she developed curriculum and trained food service directors on new regulations. Since joining Sacramento City Unified School District in 2015, her expertise spans program management, grant acquisition, policy implementation, and strategic communications. Kelsey has built relationships with farmers, distributors, community partners, and government agencies while maintaining meticulous oversight of compliance with federal child nutrition regulations.

  • Valley Vision Managing Director

    Trish’s vast regional and statewide networks greatly contribute to the growth and vitality of the region. An effective grant writer, Trish helped the region win a coveted federal designation as a food and beverage manufacturing community. Before Valley Vision, Trish consulted a wide range of clients on economic development, including local jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, educational institutions, councils of governments, workforce development boards, and philanthropic entities.

  • Owner/Chef of Mulvaney’s, Co-Founder of Family Meal Sacramento

    Patrick Mulvaney is Proprietor and Chef behind Mulvaney’s Building and Loan in Sacramento. Patrick is a leading public policy advocate on the national stage, Patrick is one of the people working to make Sacramento the “Farm-to-Fork” capital of the country.

  • Fundraising and Partnerships 

    Clay Nutting is the co-owner of Canon, a five-time Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand honoree, and Franquette, two celebrated Sacramento restaurants developed with chef Brad Cecchi. Clay serves as Board Chair of Valley Vision, a nonprofit focused on regional economic development, and on the Executive Committee of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he co-founded Family Meal to provide nutritious meals to those in need, reinforcing his commitment to community-driven solutions that support people and place.

PARTNERS

2025 FOOD Frontier TOUR

Food Frontier and industry champions from UC ANR are connecting policymakers and fellow industry leaders in the Netherlands and Belgium with food system leaders worldwide with a week of site visits, events, and immersive farm and culinary experiences.