{"id":31766,"date":"2026-10-16T13:32:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/?p=31766"},"modified":"2026-10-16T13:32:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:32:53","slug":"first-partner-siebel-newsom-celebrates-californias-nation-leading-farm-to-school-program-at-statewide-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/index.php\/2026\/10\/16\/first-partner-siebel-newsom-celebrates-californias-nation-leading-farm-to-school-program-at-statewide-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"First Partner Siebel Newsom celebrates California\u2019s nation-leading Farm to School program at statewide summit\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What you need to know:\u00a0<\/strong>First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Governor Gavin Newsom, California leaders, farmers, chefs, and school nutrition professionals gathered Thursday to celebrate California\u2019s nation-leading Farm to School Program that brings more fresh, locally grown food into school cafeterias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RANCHO CORDOVA\u00a0\u2013<\/strong>\u00a0First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom this week\u00a0co-hosted California\u2019s Farm to School Summit<\/strong><\/a> in celebration of permanent funding<\/strong><\/a> for the state\u2019s nation-leading Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. The Farm to School Program connects schools with California farmers to bring more fresh, locally grown food into school meals while supporting child nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, and local farm economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
First Partner Siebel Newsom delivers closing remarks\u00a0at the 2026 California Farm to School Summit.\u00a0<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cCalifornia\u2019s kids deserve access to school meals that are locally-sourced, nutritious and delicious \u2013 food that helps them thrive. Through our Farm to School Program, we\u2019re making that vision a reality by connecting children with fresh food from California farmers and producers, including food grown using regenerative organic practices, while strengthening local economies and supporting the people who feed our communities. I\u2019m incredibly grateful for the strong partnerships behind this program that help give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nFirst Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cHealthy kids. Stronger farms. Smarter climate action. That\u2019s what Farm to School delivers. We\u2019re putting fresh, California-grown food on school trays, creating more opportunity for local farms, and building a stronger food system for our communities and our climate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governor Gavin Newsom<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Governor Gavin Newsom celebrates the success of California’s nation-leading Farm to School program during the 2026 California Farm to School Summit.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

School meals by the numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, California became the first state to guarantee free breakfast and lunch to every public school student, regardless of family income. The Farm to School Program works in tandem with universal school meals to ensure more California students have access to two free school meals that are locally-sourced, delicious, and nutritious.\u00a0

\u201cIt is hard to overstate the impact the Farm to School Program is having across California,\u201d said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross<\/strong>. \u201cThe investments from this program are a true local development tool. Schools are better equipped to provide healthy, nourishing meals to California\u2019s students. Students are also gaining a deeper understanding of where their food comes from, and farms are seeing benefits from these ongoing partnerships. This sustainable model is creating lasting, positive change for communities throughout our state.\u201d

Together, these initiatives have delivered meaningful results<\/strong><\/a> for California\u2019s children, farmers, and local economies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n