Palm Springs Unified School District Executive Director of Facilities and Planning Juile Arthur, left, tells Governor Gavin Newsom about the age and condition of a modular classroom at Vista Del Monte Elementary School in Palm Springs, Calif., on February 28, 2020. Newsom toured the school to raise awareness and support for Proposition 13. Governorgavinnewsomprop13tourvistadelmonte6084
Sacramento, California – California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday issued an urgent appeal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, demanding the reversal of a sudden decision to cancel a Biden-era food program that has served as a critical lifeline for millions of struggling families and hundreds of small farmers since 2021.
Calling the move “irrational and malicious,” Newsom warned that the abrupt withdrawal of funds would devastate both local agriculture and the state’s food-insecure residents. “This slashing of funds will not only hurt our farmers, but also the families who need food banks,” he said in a statement.
The California Department of Social Services joined the outcry, denouncing the USDA’s decision as “unlawful” in an appeal letter that urges the agency to reinstate the program. Launched in 2022 to decentralize and diversify food supply chains in the wake of the pandemic, the program provided states and tribal governments with grants to source food from local and socially disadvantaged farmers.
Since signing on, California has received $88.5 million, channeled through food banks and aid groups. An additional $47 million had been expected this year—funds that will no longer arrive following the USDA’s quiet cancellation of the initiative in March. While money already allocated was briefly frozen, causing confusion mid-planting season, it has since been released. But no new funds are forthcoming.
“Farmers are constantly calling me about what’s going to happen,” said Ken Vang of Fresno BIPOC Produce in the state’s formal appeal. “Farmers have planted several crops just for the program because it meant guaranteed income. Now they are worried their crops will not have a home.”
The loss hits especially hard amid rising food insecurity and soaring demand for food aid. “It’s a huge loss,” said Becky Silva, government relations director for the California Association of Food Banks. “It’s a really daunting time for food banks.” Her organization received over $22 million through the program last year alone.
More than 25% of California families with children were struggling with food insecurity as of September, down only slightly from 30% at the program’s start. Meanwhile, food banks like the Community Action Partnership of Kern County have reported a 150% increase in demand.
The blow is compounded by state-level cuts. California’s Cal Foods program, which also supplies food banks, will shrink from $60 million to $8 million in June. With food prices already rising—grocery costs in Los Angeles were up 2.5% year over year in February—experts warn the financial pressure will only intensify.
“The USDA has failed to provide a reasoned explanation,” wrote Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia. “[Its decision] must be reversed.”
