Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

This October, we’re celebrating California’s fall harvest season by exploring the people, places, and flavors that make our state’s agriculture special. In partnership with CA GROWN’s new digital hub — Experience California Agriculture — we’re highlighting farm adventures across the Golden State. From hands-on u-pick orchards and vineyard tours to local food experiences, this new resource makes it easier to …

As part of CDFA’s Farm-to-School Month celebrations, we’re highlighting an awardee in our Farm-to-School Incubator Grant Program, the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) in Orange County. The school district is a two-time grantee that has procured over 430,000 pounds of local and culturally relevant produce and has worked to develop farm-to-school culinary clubs, school gardens, local farm field trips, …

California is proud to celebrate National Farm to School Month this October! By combining local food purchasing, hands-on food education and climate-smart agriculture, CDFA’s Farm to School Program helps food system leaders transform school food for the better. Read on to see h w we’re celebrating this October!  $20m for the CA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program!   Research shows …

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is in Rome, Italy this week and spoke at the United Nations FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation. In her remarks, Secretary Ross emphasized California’s leadership in agricultural climate solutions, especially methane reduction, while highlighting the state’s agricultural diversity and commitment to sustainability. California is the leading agricultural state in the United States, producing more …

CDFA joins the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in recognizing today, September 29, as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. FAO is calling for the expansion and strengthening of stakeholder efforts to reduce food loss and waste as a critical element of securing a sustainable food future across the globe, where an …

The all-new Terra Madre Americas food and culture festival is ready to begin its weekend-long run in Downtown Sacramento tomorrow, and the festivities are being kick-started today with an introductory session called, “Food for Thought; Nourishing Nature, Culture & Community.” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross was featured in an opening panel discussion this afternoon along with California Natural Resources Secretary Wade …

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and CDFA Inspection Services Director Natalie Krout-Greenberg partnered with Salinas Valley agriculture leaders earlier this week to host a team of federal food safety officials, led by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas. It was an opportunity to spotlight National Food Safety Education Month with a focus on the …

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is proud to partner with California Grown during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) to highlight the stories of Latino and Hispanic farmers who help feed our state and nation. Through this collaboration, we’re celebrating the resilience, innovation, and deep agricultural traditions that shape California’s farming communities. Kathy Topete and …