Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Nutrition


School Lunch Hero Day — Meet Monterey County school nutrition director Denisse Peña

In honor of today being School Lunch Hero Day, CDFA would like to recognize Denisse Peña, director of Nutrition Services at the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District (SMCJUHSD), due to her work with student-produced agriculture to create … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross joined by former CDFA and USDA secretary Ann Veneman for grand opening of Central Valley Ag innovation center

CDFA secretary Karen Ross and former CDFA and USDA secretary Ann Veneman recently participated in the grand opening of the Sun World International Center for Innovation in the Kern County community of Wasco. The center is developing fruit varietals with … Continue reading

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USDA Announces Feeding Program Partnership in Response to COVID-19

Collaboration will provide nearly 1,000,000 meals to rural children USDA News Release U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a collaboration with the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, McLane Global, PepsiCo, and others to deliver nearly 1,000,000 meals … Continue reading

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CDFA Promotes Nutrition and Farmers’ Markets at Senior Rally Day at the Capitol

Seniors from all over California traveled to the State Capitol this week for Senior Rally Day, an annual gathering led by the Seniors Count Coalition. CDFA’s Office of Grants Administration was there to spread the word about the Senior Farmers’ … Continue reading

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Legislation would curb food waste – from Morning Ag Clips

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) have introduced H.R. 3444, the Food Recovery Act, comprehensive bicameral legislation to reduce food waste in stores and restaurants, schools and institutions, on farms, and in American … Continue reading

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USDA Announces Farm to School Grant Awards – California among top recipients

Ten California programs receive funding to increase the availability of local foods in schools This week the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced projects selected to receive the USDA’s annual farm to school grants designed to increase the amount of local foods … Continue reading

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May is CalFresh Awareness Month

California has the largest Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the nation. Our state’s farmers and ranchers are proud to play a critical role in reducing hunger and improving health. Throughout the month of May, our state is highlighting the importance … Continue reading

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Citrus Stride: farmers, fitness and food banks at the State Capitol

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined citrus farmers and food bank advocates today at the State Capitol to celebrate the second annual Citrus Stride – a one mile walk around Capitol Park to raise awareness about hunger and celebrate the positive impact that citrus … Continue reading

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“California Thursdays” encourage school children to make healthier choices

  Members of the Lodi Unified School District’s nutrition services team at Delta Sierra Middle School in Stockton This month the Planting Seeds blog is featuring stories on food security, nutrition, and efforts to reduce food waste. CDFA’s Office of … Continue reading

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USDA’s “MyPlate, MyWins” Helps Americans Turn Resolutions into Real Solutions for Healthy Eating in the New Year

New video series, landing page, and resources guide Americans towards a healthier eating style The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) has launched a New Year’s campaign to help Americans turn their resolutions into … Continue reading

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