A California Service Corps member distributes eggs to an attendee at a food distribution site in San Diego after federal SNAP benefits were delayed during the 2025 federal government shutdown.
November 26, 2025 - SACRAMENTO - On December 2, the California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear from state officials and the California Association of Food Banks on local food assistance programs. This hearing comes at a time when demand for food assistance has increased in California by 20 to 30 percent in recent months.
Food-insecure families have been impacted by disruptions in federal government operations, recent Congressional amendments to SNAP benefits, and inflation.
“Addressing food insecurity is the cornerstone of building healthy, local communities throughout our state,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “California is working quickly to address disruptions to funding and programs that provide food assistance to some of our most vulnerable populations, including expediting $80 million in state funding and deploying California Volunteers and the National Guard on a humanitarian mission to assist food banks at the direction of Governor Newsom."
“As a farmer, I have donated products to food banks, and I encourage others in the agriculture community to do the same,” said Don Cameron, President of the State Board of Food and Agriculture. “When the federal government turns its back on those in need, farmers and ranchers can do what they do best – put food on the table.”
In addition to local food assistance programs, the Board will hear a legislative update and reports from CDFA’s Farm Equity and Small Farm Advisory Committees.
The State Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.
The meeting is available via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83141519635
Webinar ID: 831 4151 9635
Passcode: Board2025!
(Phone Access Passcode: 1416647458)
(Simultaneous Spanish interpretation is available via the Zoom application)
Invited speakers include: Stacia Levenfeld, California Association of Food Banks; Alexis Fernández Garcia, CA Department of Social Services; Sarah Hanson, CA Department of Food and Agriculture; Stephen Tacheira, CA Department of Food and Agriculture; Justin Miller, CDFA Small Scale Producer Advisory Committee; Hung K. Doan, CDFA BIPOC Advisory Committee; Rachael O’Brien, CA Department of Food and Agriculture; and others.
The State Board advises the Governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The Board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and the public to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.
CDFA’s Mission: To safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality and sustainability.
Source: CDFA
