How to resolve AdBlock issue? Since 2022, California has utilized more than $88.5 million in LFPA funding to support local farmers, strengthen the state’s food supply system, and distribute high quality nutritious food to food insecure communities and families.
Despite the inevitable harm that will fall upon farmers and communities, California’s $47 million from USDA for LFPA, plus millions more under the Local Food for Schools Program, that had been awarded for next year have been completely terminated.
“California’s agriculture sector — which produces nearly half the country’s fruits and vegetables — relies on the support of the Department of Agriculture to ensure that they can get fresh, healthy foods onto families’ tables,” said Gov. Newsom. “The irrational and malicious slashing of funds will not only hurt our farmers, but also the families who need food banks and school meals to stay healthy and thrive. I implore the USDA to immediately reverse this decision.”
“Farmers, families, and schoolchildren rely on the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program to nourish our communities and strengthen our local food systems,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Through California Farm to School, we’ve seen firsthand how these initiatives provide fresh, nutritious meals to families while supporting local growers. Without this funding, families facing food insecurity will have fewer options, children will miss out on the meals they rely on, and farmers who have built their livelihoods around feeding our communities will face devastating losses. We urge the USDA to reconsider this decision and continue working with us to ensure a stronger, more resilient food system for all.”
Impact on California
California is the nation’s agricultural leader, producing nearly half of the Country’s fruits and vegetables.
The local food production sector faces mounting pressures, including climate change, labor shortages, and market fluctuations, all impacting food availability and affordability.
In 2024 alone, California’s LFPA Program allocated the California Association of Food Banks, CDSS’s largest LFPA partner, over $22.3 million to provide local healthy food and 18,647,546 meals to food-insecure Californians.
“I cannot underscore enough how brutal this contract breach is to our operations. It’s devastating,” said Ellee Igoe of Solidarity Farm in San Diego.
The sole basis for the termination of LFPA25 was that “AMS [USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service] has determined that this agreement no longer effectuates agency priorities, and that termination of the award is appropriate,” even though USDA’s mission includes “promot[ing] agriculture production that better nourishes Americans.”
This decision will cause irreparable harm to the farmers and communities that have participated in and benefitted from California’s LFPA Program, Newsom’s office said.
Read the full letter below.
California Department of Social Services LFPA25 Appeal 04042025 by LakeCoNews on Scribd
