Federal cuts are hitting all sides of the farm-to-table supply chain.
That has advocates for small farms and for people facing food insecurity pushing for more state funding.
On the farm side, proponents are trying to save the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program, which got cut last year.
“We're asking for a bridge,” said Jamie Fanous, policy and organizing director at the Community Alliance with Family Farmers. “We're asking for the state to keep the program going utilizing state resources.”
She says in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, more than 110 farmers have relied on the program to sell to food banks.
“There's a chance that we will lose those farms if LFPA doesn't get continued funding,” she said.
A draft version of the federal farm bill includes an LFPA revival, but it’s unclear if or when that will become law. What is clear is that the need for food is growing.
Federal food assistance cuts made last year are starting to take effect now.
“We're gonna see 10 to 20% of the entire state's SNAP caseload drop off the program,” said Jared Call with the California Association of Food Banks. “Where people will turn first is to food banks.”
Call wants the state to increase funding for the CalFood program, which helps food banks buy California-grown products.
“ It's really a great partnership with our farmers,” he said.
Though focused on different programs, Call and Fanous both want the state budget—which will be revised in May—to protect the local food supply.
That’s as the U.S. Department of Agriculture—which oversees food and farm programs–faces a 19% cut in President Donald Trump’s proposed budget.
