Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Community-based Food System


First Partner Siebel Newsom celebrates California’s nation-leading Farm to School program at statewide summit   

What you need to know: First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Governor Gavin Newsom, California leaders, farmers, chefs, and school nutrition professionals gathered Thursday to celebrate California’s nation-leading Farm to School Program that brings more fresh, locally grown food into school cafeterias. … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, CDFA Inspection Services, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Food Access | Tagged | Leave a comment

Farm to School connects local food system and community for Hoopa Valley High School students

The Klamath-Trinity Resource Conservation District (KTRCD) invests CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant funding to support local producers, local food procurement and hands-on education to help connect the classroom, cafeteria, local food system and community. KTRCD is an Indigenous nonprofit … Continue reading →

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Healing Harvest: Growing wellness, connection, opportunity through farm to school

At San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) in San Diego County, farm to school is about more than what is served on the lunch tray. Through the district’s 2023-24 CA Farm to School Incubator Grant project called “Healing Harvest,” all … Continue reading →

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PUSD helps environment, supports small farmers through incorporating locally grown produce into school meals

California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funds are hard at work in Tulare County helping Porterville Unified School District’s Student Nutrition Services strengthen farm to school connections across the district and expand its commitment to purchasing locally grown food. … Continue reading →

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Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee member Jaclyn Allen works to fight hunger and cultivate community

This International Year of the Woman Farmer, CDFA celebrates and thanks CDFA advisory committee members for contributions to their industries and communities. Following is a spotlight of a member of the Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee. Jaclyn AllenThe Hen’s Roost, … Continue reading →

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Secretary Karen Ross on Leadership, Innovation, and the Future

Secretary Karen Ross is featured in the July edition of the ONOR Journal in a conversation about leadership, innovation and preparing the next generation for the future. In the feature, Secretary Ross shares insights drawn from her career in agriculture … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, CDFA Public Affairs, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System | Leave a comment

Governor Newsom signs legislation securing permanent funding for nation-leading Farm to School Program championed by First Partner

From the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed SB 172, which permanently funds California’s nation-leading Farm to School Program, ensuring schools can continue serving students healthy meals made with California-grown ingredients. Championed by First … Continue reading →

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Farm to School benefits small farms like Old Grove Orange in Redlands

Farm to school programming provides the consistent demand needed to sustain local small farmers who take pride in benefitting student health and the local economy.  “Small farmers need to adapt to survive!” said fifth-generation farmer Anna Knight of Old Grove … Continue reading →

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Fort Bragg’s Farm to School Model of Success Offers Healthy Nutrition from Local Produce

Fort Bragg Unified School District (FBUSD) in Mendocino County offers a farm to school model of success by connecting local food procurement, scratch-cooked meals and hands-on food education to foster lifelong habits of good nutrition to its students. Fort Bragg’s … Continue reading →

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“Ranch-to-Tray” tours help school nutrition professionals and California ranchers build connections

From the California Beef Council Tours aim to show how cattle are raised and how beef is processed ROCKLIN, CA – As schools across California work to incorporate more locally sourced foods into their meal programs, many districts are increasingly … Continue reading →

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