Farm Costs & Packaging Laws
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture is taking on single-use plastic packaging at their upcoming meeting—Tuesday, June 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Sacramento. Can’t be there in person? No problem—there’s a Zoom link available.
This matters. The board is discussing how new regulations—specifically Senate Bill 54—will impact agriculture. That law, passed back in 2022, set some big goals: cut single-use plastic by 25%, recycle 65%, and ensure all of it is recyclable or compostable by 2032.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross says the goal is to reduce plastic pollution while supporting innovation that keeps food safe and ag businesses strong.
The meeting will feature voices from across the ag industry—like the Agricultural Council of California, Western Growers, and the California Strawberry Commission.
And Don Cameron, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, points out that packaging isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a real cost for farmers and ranchers. He supports cutting plastic waste but wants to make sure any new rules don’t put extra financial pressure on producers during these tough times.
Get the full agenda and Zoom info at cdfa.ca.gov. Comments on SB 54 are due by June 3rd.
