Agriculture and Food

We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our funding partners, whose grants make our work possible. Their investment helps us build a more sustainable, equitable and resilient San Mateo County for all. Each of these organizations have demonstrated a lasting commitment to the vitality of our region and play a critical role in ensuring our communities can thrive and flourish now and into the future. Sand Hill Foundation Sand Hill Foundation has awarded SSMC a two-year grant to fund capacity building for our core programs. We are thrilled to be part of the [...]

For more than 30 years, Sustainable San Mateo County has been working with local government and community leaders to make San Mateo County more sustainable for everyone. Below, leaders from across the region share how SSMC’s work has made a meaningful difference in their communities.       Government and community leaders share their stories about how SSMC is creating a more sustainable world for us all. "Sustainable San Mateo County’s 2023 Indicators Report on children, youth and families was a powerful affirmation for those [...]

On April 3, Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) hosted our 26th Annual Awards Celebration and Auction at the beautiful College of San Mateo—and what a night it was! We were thrilled to come together in person once again, joined by local elected officials, government staff, nonprofit leaders, advocates and community members, all united by a shared commitment to a more sustainable future. The evening was filled with laughter, inspiration and impact. Our fantastic emcees kept the energy high, and our auction added a big dose of fun—while raising critical funds to support SSMC’s programs throughout the year. These funds will [...]

The Ruth Peterson Award, established in memory of a dedicated SSMC leader and given to an invaluable SSMC volunteer, will be presented to John Crowell.John had a long and successful career working for innovative high technology companies, including Sun Microsystems and a startup, OnLive, where he gained an extensive background in finance, people and project management, relationship development and delivering successful project results.He’s had an even more impressive 2nd career volunteering as a Healthy Cities Tutor in the Redwood City Elementary School District, a meal preparer for Meals on Wheels and a regular participant at the Fair Oaks Community Center Family [...]

The Belle Haven Community Campus, recipient of the 2025 Green Building Honorable Mention cosponsored by Sustainable San Mateo County and the San Mateo County Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, is a shining example of how architecture can serve both environmental and social justice goals. The project was recognized in a highly competitive field, which included a diverse array of sustainable residential, commercial and civic projects. This LEED Platinum, net-zero energy facility stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation in the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park.Owned by the City of Menlo Park, with architecture by Hart Howerton [...]

The 2025 Green Building Awards, cosponsored by Sustainable San Mateo County and the San Mateo County Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, recognize outstanding achievements in sustainable design and construction across residential, commercial, retail and civic projects. Among this year’s highly competitive entries, County Office Building 3 (COB3) in Redwood City stood out for setting a new standard of sustainability and innovation, earning the coveted Green Building Award. Watch our video about COB3. Owned by San Mateo County, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and built by Truebeck Construction, COB3 exemplifies sustainability at every level. The 208,000-square-foot building, completed [...]

Colin Chu’s journey as an environmental advocate began when he was four years old, spending his days tide-pooling and whale-watching with his father in Half Moon Bay. These childhood memories sparked a lifelong passion for protecting the environment, especially our oceans. Witnessing the stark impact of climate change on Half Moon Bay’s ecosystems, Colin was motivated to take action – not just for himself, but for future generations. Watch our video about Colin. Colin founded Homeless Heroes in 2021 when he was in the 8th grade. This nonprofit tackles food waste and food insecurity while promoting environmental justice. The organization’s [...]

Sustainable San Mateo County is thrilled to honor the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) as a 2025 Sustainability Award winner. Serving over 29,000 students across Skyline College, Cañada College and College of San Mateo, SMCCCD operates like three vibrant cities that have embraced sustainability at their core. The District’s efforts demonstrate leadership, innovation and commitment to environmental stewardship, social equity and economic responsibility—the “Three Es” of sustainability. Watch our video about SMCCCD. A Culture of Sustainability SMCCCD has cultivated a culture of sustainability that ensures long-term environmental stewardship and systemic change. With the distinction of being the first [...]

Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) is proud to recognize El Concilio of San Mateo County as a 2025 Sustainability Award winner. Since 1980, this dedicated nonprofit has been a cornerstone of support for the Latino, immigrant and underserved communities in San Mateo County, improving quality of life and advancing meaningful policy changes. Watch our video about El Concilio of San Mateo County. El Concilio’s mission is to increase leadership, education and employment opportunities by ensuring access to vital services. With offices in North Fair Oaks and East Palo Alto, and strategic outreach partnerships in South San Francisco, Daly City, San [...]

Sustainable San Mateo County is proud to honor Caltrain as the recipient of a 2025 Sustainability Award. Caltrain’s groundbreaking electrification project is setting a gold standard for sustainable public transportation, with far-reaching environmental, economic and social equity benefits. Watch our video about Caltrain. A Leader in Green Innovation As the first diesel-to-electric conversion west of the Mississippi, Caltrain’s electrification marks a historic milestone for California transit. Running on 100% clean, renewable energy provided by Peninsula Clean Energy and San Jose Energy, Caltrain’s new electric trains are estimated to eliminate 250,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually – the equivalent [...]