Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a state and federal initiative Wednesday to connect farmers and ranchers with excess produce to food banks around the state.
According to Newsom, food banks have seen a 73 percent increase in demand since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic began, while farmers and ranchers have seen demand for their crops and other food fall by half.
With supply chains of perishable food to shuttered restaurants fractured during the pandemic, that produce and other food could end up being thrown away if action wasn’t taken, Newsom said.
The partnership currently includes nearly 130 farmers and ranchers who are providing food commodities to 41 food banks in 58 counties. State officials hope to extend the program through the end of the year, providing
roughly 21 million pounds of food to local food banks every month.
The state has already raised $3.6 million in philanthropic funding for the program, with a goal of raising some $15 million more to help feed families in need and pay farm workers, who will also receive a 15 percent tax credit through the program.
Newsom said state Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross has championed a farm-to-food bank pipeline program since he was lieutenant governor.
“It’s a remarkable program and I believe because we had it in place, we were able to prevent extensive food waste because of the suddenness of the change of our economy and our buying habits,” Ross said.
Newsom also announced that the state received federal waivers to make its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and its Electronic Benefits Transfer program more accessible.
The waiver for the state’s SNAP program, known as CalFresh, allows program members to use their benefits to purchase food and other necessities online. The state has partnered initially with Amazon and Walmart, with plans to expand to other food and commodity retailers.
The EBT program waiver will make up to $365 in additional benefits available to families with children who would normally qualify for free breakfast and lunch at school. According to Newsom, roughly 3.8 million children are eligible for that meal assistance.
Good
Why the “BLEEP” is this not already happening???????????????
During WW2 people planted Victory gardens.
Good opportunity to teach children about gardening, picking and preparing vegetables. By planting more than you need, surplus can be given to food banks. A chance to teach children about giving, raise their awareness and allow them to help out.
Also keep us elderly in your neighborhood in mind.
I thought there is a shortage of fresh vegetables at all the supermarkets?
Ok, because I’m bored… (disclaimer; sometimes my math isn’t great…) and with no agenda other than bored….
Just saw a news story about the Alameda County Food Bank; would imagine Contra Costa / Solano Food Bank is noticing the same trend.
Based on the numbers the spokesperson gave and their website, they are serving about 287 people a day during these virus times (the number is less if done by households served).
Prior, about 80 people were served daily.
That is about a 72% increase a day.
Wow
I know a few people that LIVE off government funds. They know exactly how to get money here and money there by working all the government sites. Even WITH a job they get LOTS of extra money to pay for things. You can even get hot Starbucks drinks with that money.
Yep, keep it all closed down. We’ll put every farmer and rancher out of business in no time. That’s all right we’ll just have ALL our food shipped in from China and other countries.
Matt is correct. Smart people on public assistance know how to game the system and live much better lives than we might expect. I have a relative who works at Kaiser and sees it daily.