Reversal of USDA Funding Raises Alarms for Governor Newsom

Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter of appeal late last week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, urging a reversal of the termination of $47 million in funding meant to support California farmers who grow produce for food banks, schools, and community centers. The money had been awarded to California through the Local Food Purchase Assistance, or LFPA, and Local Food for Schools programs.

Accordign to USDA.gov, the LFPA Cooperative Agreement Program provides funding to state, tribal, and territorial governments to buy food grown locally—either within the state or within 400 miles of the delivery point. It’s designed to support local, regional, and underserved producers while helping communities in need.

From Governor Newsom’s website, since 2022, California has used over $88.5 million in LFPA funding to strengthen its food supply system, connect small farmers to new markets, and distribute nutritious food to food-insecure families.

Newsom called the USDA’s sudden cancellation “irrational and malicious,” warning it will hurt both growers and families who depend on fresh food access.