F3 : The Future of Food Initiative

Central Valley Initiative Awarded $65 Million

from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s
Build Back Better Regional Challenge

About F3
Fresno DRIVE’s Fresno-Merced Future of Food Innovation (F3) Initiative will fund a Climate-Smart
Agrifood Technology and Engineering Cluster based on capabilities in digitalization and data science,
mechatronics, equipment, and systems testing and integration for agrifood applications. The F3 portfolio
drives both economic growth and equity – spurring inclusive innovation and commercialization with
supports that proactively engage small farmers and entrepreneurs alongside multinational companies;
building a seamless talent development pipeline; and catalyzing local market growth of the small-scale
farm and food industry. This robust portfolio will address economic, agricultural, and climate challenges,
positioning our Valley’s ag-based industry and farmers to be competitive, resilient, and sustainable.

Timeline :
The F3 Initiative was submitted to the U.S. Economic COALITION PARTNERS
Development Administration’s (EDA) Build Back Better
Regional Challenge (BBBRC) in October 2021. The EDA
California Farmworker Foundation
received 529 applications from regions in all 50 states and five
territories. In January 2022, F3 was named one of 60 national California State University, Fresno

finalists. On Friday, September 2nd at 8:00 a.m. PST, the White Central Valley Community Foundation
House announced its BBBRC awardees, and named F3 as a City of Fresno
recipient of $65 Million in funding, the largest Federal grant ever
Clovis Community College
awarded to the Central Valley.
College of the Seqouias

Regional Impact : Community Alliance with

Family Farmers
Over four years, the F3 Initiative will:
Cultiva La Salud
• Increase regional GDP from 2.1% to 3.0% annually Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation

• Attract $250M in private investment Fresno City College

• Create and/or fill more than 10,000 quality jobs Fresno Economic Development
Corporation

Fresno Metro Ministry

The ‘F3’ Portfolio : Madera Community College

Merced College
AgTEC - Will nearly double the annual workforce
Reedley College
pipeline to over 8,400 job-ready workers in four years,
enabling an increase in average wages of 60%. State Center Community College
District
Local Farm & Food Innovation Initiative - Will drive University of California, Agriculture
industry technology adoption enabling 40% and Natural Resources
commercialization to 1,000 growers and ranchers. University of California, Merced

iCREATE - Will establish 75 industry-academic West Hills College

partnerships, and develop 100 ag tech innovations, Lemoore & Coalinga

of which 40% will be commercialized.