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Category Archives: Food Access

Governor Newsom signs legislation securing permanent funding for nation-leading Farm to School Program championed by First Partner

July 13, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

From the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed SB 172, which permanently funds California’s nation-leading Farm to School Program, ensuring schools can continue serving students healthy meals made with California-grown ingredients. Championed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the program supports local farmers, strengthens regional food systems, and expands nutrition education in classrooms. SACRAMENTO …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Food Access | Tagged | Leave a comment

California celebrates nearly 3.5 billion universal school meals served

June 26, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

From the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom California’s Farm to School program, championed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, works in tandem with universal school meals to ensure more California students have access to two free school meals that are locally-sourced, delicious, and nutritious. – Excerpt from announcement below What you need to know: Five years ago, Governor Newsom signed into …

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What’s in Season at U-Pick Farms Across the State? 

June 24, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

California is a beautiful patchwork of mountains, beaches, valleys, and deserts. This remarkable diversity not only draws visitors from around the world but also makes California the most productive agricultural state in the nation. It’s the reason there’s always something fresh and delicious in season. Seasonal produce is always spectacular, but you can’t beat a just-picked berry, still warm from …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access, Growing California, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

From Orchard to Classroom: Clendenen’s Cider Works Cultivates Community Through Local Food

June 19, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

For more than a century, Clendenen’s Cider Works has been rooted in Humboldt County agriculture. Today, Clif Clendenen carries on his family’s legacy by growing fresh apples, producing local cider, and embracing sustainable farming practices on his five-acre orchard. Through a California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to School grant, Clif is also helping bring locally grown, nutritious …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Conservation, Drought, Environment, Farm Labor, Farm to School, Food Access, Growing California, Healthy soils, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Farm to School benefits small farms like Old Grove Orange in Redlands

June 2, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Farm to school programming provides the consistent demand needed to sustain local small farmers who take pride in benefitting student health and the local economy.  “Small farmers need to adapt to survive!” said fifth-generation farmer Anna Knight of Old Grove Orange. “We’ve done everything from farmers’ markets to community supported agriculture, but for the last 20-plus years, 100% of the …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, CDFA Inspection Services, Community-based Food System, Environment, Farm to School, Food Access | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fort Bragg’s Farm to School Model of Success Offers Healthy Nutrition from Local Produce

April 28, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Fort Bragg Unified School District (FBUSD) in Mendocino County offers a farm to school model of success by connecting local food procurement, scratch-cooked meals and hands-on food education to foster lifelong habits of good nutrition to its students. Fort Bragg’s farm to school culture is built around school gardens, a school district farm, and middle and high school agriculture programs …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Food Access, Nutrition | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New Report: “CDFA’s Contributions to California’s Agricultural Excellence”

February 9, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

By Karen Ross, SecretaryCalifornia Department of Food and Agriculture We work hard to make California a better place to live because of what we grow and how we grow it. At the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), we work to build and safeguard resilient food systems – including programs that improve nutrition for students and extend additional benefits …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Alternative Fuels, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Food Access, Food Safety, Invasive Species, Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA kicks off California State Employees Food Drive – Early!

November 1, 2025   Office of Public Affairs

Every year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) leads the State Employees Food Drive, raising food, funds and awareness regarding hunger issues in our state. California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet more than 1 in 5 Californians — about 8.8 million — currently struggle with food insecurity. Last year, state employees donated over …

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Building Farm to School Bridges at Long Beach Foodways Summit

April 8, 2024   Office of Public Affairs
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CDFA joins State Employee Food Drive effort by volunteering at food bank

December 22, 2023   Office of Public Affairs
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