Federal funding cut for California farms program impacting farmers, food banks, schools
An innovative program that paid small farmers to grow much-needed produce for California food banks is losing its federal funding as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to slash government spending.
Launched in 2023, the Farms Together Program was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and distributed throughout the state by the California Association of Family Farmers, the California Association of Food Banks and Fresh Approach.
California’s program was part of a nationwide effort funded by the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement. About $500 million was expected to be pumped into the program this year.
The goal was to give small farmers, ranchers and fish operators the opportunity to sell their products to food assistance programs, including food banks, food pantries and food relief programs.
Similarly, the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement was also cut.
It was going to distribute about $600 million for schools nationwide to buy local, unprocessed or minimally processed foods from local producers with an emphasis on buying from “historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers and small businesses.”
Fresno Unified spokesperson A.J. Kato said the school district received $492,746 during the 2022-2023 school year from the program and used it to buy local agricultural products.
USDA officials announced the cuts earlier this week, stating, in part, that these programs were created under the Biden Administration and “ no longer effectuate the goals of the agency.”
In California, the Farms Together program provided support to 533 small farmers who in turn produced food for 55 food banks and other community food partners. Of the more than 500 small farmers, about 100 were from the San Joaquin Valley.
’An investment in our whole food system’
Small farm advocates and food bank officials were frustrated at the loss in funding.
“This is extremely disappointing to hear,” said Stacia Hill Levenfeld, chief executive officer of the California Association of Food Banks. “This has been incredibly important program for small to mid-size producers and for food banks. It was making an investment in our whole food system.”
Kao Youa Moua, co-owner of Vang Farming Ventures in Sanger, is one of the program’s participants. Moua, a second-generation farmer, grows vegetables and was thankful for the chance to be a part of the program.
“For us, it has been an important part of helping us stay afloat,” she said.
Moua, who works a second job off the farm, was hoping to dedicate herself to farming full-time. But with the demise of the Farms Together program, her plans are up in the air.
“The truth is,” she said, “I am not sure we will be able to keep going.”
Paul Towers, executive director of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, said the program not only provided food banks with much needed fresh produce for those in need, but it also kept many small farmers in business.
“I worry about the future of our small farmers,” Towers said. “We are already losing farms at an alarming rate and we had a program that prioritized small farmers who were struggling and now it’s gone. I am concerned that it will drive more small farms out of business.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Federal funding cut for California farms program impacting farmers, food banks, schools."
