California Governor Asks USDA to Reverse Termination of $47 Million for Local Food Aid

Amid the federal funding cut, a similar food assistance program is facing potential state budget cuts.

(L–R) Grant Hall, Priscilla Quintana, Sherry Cola, Marisela Zumbado, and Constance Zimmer attend a Feeding America Hunger Action Month event at Los Angeles Regional Food Bank on Sept. 13, 2024. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Feeding America

California Gov. Gavin Newsom made an appeal on April 5 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse its termination of $47 million in funding for local food aid, which supplies food banks and other programs.

“California’s agriculture sector ... relies on the support of the Department of Agriculture to ensure that they can get fresh, healthy foods onto families’ tables,” Newsom said in a statement. “The irrational and malicious slashing of funds will not only hurt our farmers, but also the families who need food banks and school meals to stay healthy and thrive.