California Governor Gavin Newsom is sounding the alarm over a sudden $47 million cut to local food assistance, warning it could devastate food banks, schools, and farms across the state.
At a Glance
- USDA pulls $47 million from local food assistance in California
- Newsom demands reversal, calling the cut “malicious”
- Food banks and school meal programs risk collapse
- CalFood budget could drop from $60 million to $8 million
- USDA shifts focus away from COVID-era emergency programs
USDA Funding Cut Sparks Outrage
California is fighting to save a key food program after the U.S. Department of Agriculture abruptly terminated $47 million in support that had been helping feed millions. Governor Gavin Newsom is urging the agency to reverse what he called an “irrational and malicious” decision that threatens local farms, food banks, and families already stretched thin.
The Local Food Purchase Assistance program, launched in 2022, had helped states buy food from regional producers and direct it toward low-income communities. In California, the program became essential, with $88.5 million invested in connecting local farms to hungry households and schools.
Watch ABC30’s report on how the cuts could affect Valley communities.
Food Banks and Farmers Feel the Squeeze
Without the USDA’s support, local food banks face massive shortfalls in fresh produce and other essentials. Becky Silva, government relations director for the California Association of Food Banks, said demand is already at crisis levels—and the funding cut could push some services over the edge.
Local farmers, too, are caught in the fallout. Many relied on these programs to offload perishable goods and support operations. Now, without stable buyers or new contracts, their livelihoods are in jeopardy.
“This hurts not just families, but the very farmers who grow the food,” Newsom warned, stressing that the state cannot plug the gap alone—especially with its own food assistance program, CalFood, poised to shrink dramatically from $60 million to just $8 million.
USDA Defends “Post-Pandemic” Shift
In response, a USDA spokesperson said the department is “prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact,” emphasizing that the pandemic era has ended and programs like LFPA were never meant to be permanent.
But California officials say the cut is anything but harmless. According to the state’s Department of Social Services, the decision violates USDA’s prior commitments—and they’re fighting back with a formal appeal to reinstate the funding.
The CalFood program, which supports local food purchases for food banks, is now also under threat from the state’s broader budget crisis, with a $2 billion deficit looming.
For a state responsible for nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, the dual loss of federal and state funds could reshape food access for years to come—unless the USDA reconsiders.
