Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Food Access


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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Farm to school fosters life skills and pride in seeing work grow for El Dorado County students

El Dorado Union High School District is utilizing CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funding to bring hands-on agriculture into special education programs at five high schools in southern El Dorado County. “This grant has given our special education … Continue reading →

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Alyssa Burkart Gonzales values representing family farms on Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee

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. Alyssa Burkart GonzalesBurkart Organics … Continue reading →

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, International Year of the Woman Farmer, Organic agriculture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Farmers' Markets, Food Access | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Food Access | Tagged , | 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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California celebrates nearly 3.5 billion universal school meals served

From the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom California’s Farm to School program, championed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, works in tandem with universal school meals to ensure more California students have access to two free school meals that are … Continue reading →

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What’s in Season at U-Pick Farms Across the State? 

California is a beautiful patchwork of mountains, beaches, valleys, and deserts. This remarkable diversity not only draws visitors from around the world but also makes California the most productive agricultural state in the nation. It’s the reason there’s always something … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access, Growing California, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

From Orchard to Classroom: Clendenen’s Cider Works Cultivates Community Through Local Food

For more than a century, Clendenen’s Cider Works has been rooted in Humboldt County agriculture. Today, Clif Clendenen carries on his family’s legacy by growing fresh apples, producing local cider, and embracing sustainable farming practices on his five-acre orchard. Through … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Conservation, Drought, Environment, Farm Labor, Farm to School, Food Access, Growing California, Healthy soils, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment