California Governor Gavin Newsom has urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reinstate a key food assistance program that has been abruptly canceled. This program has provided essential food support to millions of California families and aided small farmers since its start in 2021. Newsom called the funding cuts "irrational and malicious," highlighting their potential impact on vulnerable populations and the state's agricultural sector. The program, which had allocated significant funds to enhance local food supply chains, provided $88.5 million in aid since 2022 and was expected to receive an additional $47 million in 2023 before the cancellation.
"The irrational and malicious slashing of funds will not only hurt our farmers, but also the families who need food banks," Newsom said in a release announcing the appeal.
"Farmers are constantly calling me about what's going to happen," wrote Ken Vang of Fresno BIPOC Produce, as part of the appeal.
Collection
[
|
...
]