Federal Help Sought for Peach Farmers
A major processing plant closure is sending shockwaves through California’s peach industry, leaving growers searching for answers and immediate relief.
Adam Schiff, alongside Mike Thompson and David Valadao, are now leading a bipartisan push for federal relief. They are joined by 39 colleagues urging Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in after the Del Monte facility in Modesto shut down.
The closure is triggering widespread contract cancellations for peach growers in Yuba and Sutter Counties, leaving many without a viable path forward during a critical time in the growing season. Without a major processor, producers are now facing uncertainty about where their crops will go and how they will recover financially.
Lawmakers write, "The Del Monte facility processed a substantial share of the state’s canned fruit production, including more than 30 percent of California peaches. With no comparable alternative processing capacity available, producers are facing severe uncertainty and financial hardship."
They also emphasize that domestic producers already face a range of ongoing challenges, making federal support even more urgent to protect both farmers and the food supply.
They are requesting nine million dollars to help growers transition to permanent crops, expanded access to disaster programs, and technical and economic support for affected communities.
