SACRAMENTO — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear updates from agricultural organizations, policy experts and business groups concerning single-use plastic packaging regulations on Tuesday, June 3.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N St., Main Auditorium, Sacramento.

The meeting is also available via Zoom. The webinar ID is 871 2264 9005, passcode is Board2025!. The phone access passcode is 2509326576.

There will be simultaneous Spanish interpretation available via the Zoom application.

“We need to reduce plastic pollution in our environment,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “At the same time, we must consider opportunities and pathways for California’s farmers and ranchers that advance a circular economy and allows for packaging innovation that maintains quality and safety of fresh food products.”

In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) into law.

The act established enforceable goals to be achieved by 2032, which include 1) reducing single-use plastic packaging and food service ware by 25%; 2) recycling 65% of single-use plastic packaging and food service ware; and 3) ensuring that 100% of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware is recyclable or compostable.

Since the passage of the Act, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, or CalRecycle, has been engaged in the rulemaking process and continues public outreach.

CalRecycle is soliciting feedback on proposed changes to SB 54 regulations, with a comment deadline of June 3.

Invited speakers include Susan Robinson, Circular Action Alliance; Emily Rooney, Agricultural Council of California; Gail Delihant, Western Growers; Rick Tomlinson, California Strawberry Commission; representatives from the California Grocers Association and California Chamber of Commerce and other invited speakers. The Board will also be joined by a delegation from the Murcia Region (Spain) to discuss agricultural technology collaboration.

“As a grower, we are always concerned with costs — everything from water, labor, fertilizer and other inputs,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “Packaging, whether done in the field or at the cooler, has an impact on a farm’s bottom line. I support cutting plastic pollution but underscore that it is adding more costs to producers in a difficult economic time for agriculture.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.

The board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.