Newsom: California to Connect Ranchers, Farmers with Food Banks

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Saying that California farmers and ranchers are seeing millions of tons of produce and other products going to waste, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday a major program to connect that bounty with food banks in need.

Newsom said that with supply chains and demand altered due to the coronavirus emergency, around half of California’s farm and ranch production was going to waste. At the same time, demand for food assistance has almost doubled across the state, and food banks everywhere are struggling to meet the need.

Currently said the governor, 128 farmers and ranchers were working with 41 food banks in the state. The new initiative would greatly expand that, potentially distributing 21 million pounds of food monthly from producers to food banks across the state.

Newsom said the program was relying on philanthropists for funding, with a goal to raise $15 million or more to extend the farm to food bank pipeline through the end of the year.