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Healthy Refrigeration Grant recipients describe benefits of increasing fresh food options to those who need it most

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Joshua Bingham
(Clockwise from top left) Refrigeration units funded through the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program are installed at Showers of Bless­ings Faith-City Worship Center in San Bernadino County, Carpinteria Children’s Project in Santa Barbara County, Temalpakh Farm / Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians in Riverside County and Rancho Market in Alameda County.

Benefits of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program are best seen and heard! Following are quotes from grantees who already are putting their new equipment to use, expanding access to fresh, healthy food in their communities:

Showers of Blessings Faith-City Worship Center, San Bernadino County:

“The most rewarding aspect of participating in the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program has been witnessing the direct impact on our community. With the improved refrigeration, we can offer a con­sistent supply of fresh, healthy food to those who need it most. It has been incredibly fulfilling to see the smiles on the faces of families who now have access to high-quality food and to know that we are contributing to food security and health in our community.”

Carpinteria Children’s Project, Santa Barabara County:

“Before receiving this grant, our food pantry relied on an aging refrigerator that frequently malfunc­tioned, leading to food spoilage and limiting our ability to provide fresh food to the community. With the new energy-efficient refrigerator, we have sig­nificantly improved our food storage capacity and reliability. The larger size allows us to store and distribute more fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and other perishable items, ensuring that our clients have consistent access to nutritious food.”

Temalpakh Farm / Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, Riverside County:

“The new refrigeration display equipment has cor­related with a 40-percent increase in fresh produce sales compared to the same period last year. The usable shelf life of our product is now extended for our customers, our waste has been reduced and the professionalism of the refrigeration display is likely to increase customer confidence and repeat foot traffic to the store.”

Rancho Market, Alameda County:

“The new units provide better temperature control, ensuring that our produce, dairy and meat stay fresher for longer. This has enhanced the shopping experience for our customers and allowed us to ex­pand our selection of fresh food, making healthier options more accessible to our community.”

Visit the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program webpage to learn more and view a map of where equipment grantees are located across California.

Posted in CDFA Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , | Leave a comment

CDFA Celebrates National Farm to School Month!

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Joshua Bingham

California is proud to celebrate National Farm to School Month this October! By combining local food purchasing, hands-on food education and climate-smart agriculture, CDFA’s Farm to School Program helps food system leaders transform school food for the better. Read on to see how we’re celebrating this October! 

$20m for the CA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program!  

  • Thank you to Governor Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the CA Legislature for investing another $20 million into the CA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program! 
  • Be on the lookout for updates on grant application information later this year.

Research shows – CA Farm to School Program is working! 

  • The University of California just released a new research report showing that the California Farm to School Incubator Grant exceeds market access and climate goals, builds economic resilience, nurtures students with hands-on food education and builds strong support networks for grantees. 
  • To read the full progress report, click here.  

Join the 10th annual California Crunch with Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)! 

  • The California Crunch is the annual event where children across the state take a collective bite of locally grown fruits and vegetables to celebrate local farms and healthy eating! 
  • The 10th annual California Crunch this Farm to School Month is at noon October 16! 
  • To sign up, click here 

Visit us at the California School Nutrition Association Conference! 

  • From October 29 to November 1, you can find CDFA’s Farm to School team at the California School Nutrition Association Conference! We’ll be tabling alongside some of our favorite southern California farms, and training alongside school food professionals about the power of farm to school to transform classrooms, cafeterias and the community.  
  • Click here to learn more about the conference.

Join a local farm to school event! 

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA and industry partners offer tour of California Agriculture to FDA food safety officials

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Joshua Bingham
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (holding Naturipe strawberries in middle row, right, and other photos) hosts FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas (holding Grimmway Farms carrots in top row, left, and other photos).

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and CDFA Inspection Services Director Natalie Krout-Greenberg partnered with Salinas Valley agriculture leaders earlier this week to host a team of federal food safety officials, led by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas.

It was an opportunity to spotlight National Food Safety Education Month with a focus on the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, which establishes science-based federal minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fresh produce for human consumption. CDFA enforces the rule in California via its Produce Safety Program.

The group took a tour that included farms and processing facilities, including Grimmway Farms, D’Arrigo California, Naturipe Farms, and Taylor Farms; as well as a roundtable discussion at the Monterey County Farm Bureau. CDFA offers a special thank you to the tour’s partners and sponsors, including Western Growers, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement and the Monterey County Farm Bureau.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, Food Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Apply by Nov. 4 for 2026 California Nutrition Incentive Program Expansion grant

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is accepting proposals for the 2026 California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) Expansion. This opportunity provides monetary incentives to match three initiatives – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP), and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Applications must be submitted by email to cafarmtofork@cdfa.ca.gov no later than 5 p.m. PT November 4, 2025.  

CNIP provides monetary incentives to shoppers spending nutrition benefits on healthy, California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. For every benefit dollar spent, CNIP provides shoppers an additional dollar that may be spent on fruits and vegetables up to a set limit.

CDFA is seeking project proposals from qualified entities to distribute CNIP incentives at Certified Farmers’ Markets, and/or provide support, outreach and technical assistance for benefit shoppers and market vendors utilizing electronic Farmers’ Market Cards. Projects that reach low-access areas and low-income populations, particularly communities where a large proportion of the population is eligible for nutrition benefits, will be prioritized. This is a competitive process.

Please visit the CNIP webpage to view the 2026 CNIP Expansion request for proposals (RFP) and to register for an informational webinar at 11 a.m. PT October 9. The RFP includes further information on the grant program and its implementation. The webinar is an opportunity for grant applicants to receive additional information and ask questions.

Funding for this grant cycle came from the California State Budget General Fund, passed by the California State Legislature and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in California Nutrition Incentive Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

ISD Staff Spotlight: Sarah Cardoni coordinates legislative and regulatory activities for Inspection & Compliance Branch

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Sarah Cardoni
TIME AT CDFA: 13 Years
PROGRAM: Inspection & Compliance Branch
POSITION TITLE: Branch Operations Analyst (Associate Governmental Program Analyst)

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES ON THE JOB: I coordinate the legislative and regulatory activities for the branch’s compliance unit programs, such as the California State Organic Program, Direct Market­ing Program and Standardization Program. My daily tasks involve drafting rulemakings, prepar­ing bill analyses and writing legislative proposals.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? By providing legislative and regulato­ry support to California’s fresh fruit, vegetable and nut industries. For example, when the citrus industry experimented with a new container and packing method for oranges, I reviewed their petition and supporting evidence and conduct­ed economic and fiscal analyses to ensure the container’s use is beneficial and equitable for the citrus industry. I also ensured compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, maintaining transparency and accountability in the regulatory process, which is crucial for public trust and the integrity of the food supply system.

THOUGHTS OF WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? Inspection Services has been like a second home since I started my state service career at 21. Working alongside talent­ed colleagues, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing their growth and celebrating their milestones. Our work is incred­ibly rewarding, as we develop innovative strategies to tackle complex challenges that im­pact California farmers and protect consumers.

FAVORITE PASTIME? I love hiking the old-growth forests of the Klamath region, practicing ashtan­ga yoga and spending quality time with my loved ones over a good, home-cooked meal.

SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOU? I have a 10-year-old senior bearded dragon named Sweet Pea.

Posted in CDFA California Citrus Program, CDFA California State Organic Program, CDFA Direct Marketing Program, CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Standardization Program, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , | Leave a comment

National Food Safety Education Month: Celebrating the Success of CDFA’s Produce Safety Program

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA joins the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recognizing September as National Food Safety Education Month, with a continued commitment to supporting produce safety and education across California.

Produce safety is a high priority in California. The Golden State’s hardworking farmers produce nearly half of the country’s vegetables and over three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts.

In 2018, the CDFA Produce Safety Program was created in response to the groundbreaking Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, which established science-based federal minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fresh produce for human consumption.

The Produce Safety Program has grown from four initial inspectors in 2018 to 12 inspectors and specialists today, resulting in the inspection of 3,045 farms or ranches and more than 300 produce commodities to date.

The Produce Safety Program also provides free food safety education, ranging from Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings to On-Farm Readiness Reviews to help producers with compliance. Much-needed technical support offered in multiple languages through the CDFA Technical Assistance Program.

To learn more about CDFA’s Produce Safety Program, please visit the program webpage or contact producesafety@cdfa.ca.gov.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program, Food Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CDFA awards $13.75 million to support community food hubs across California

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Joshua Bingham
Visit the Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program webpage to view an interactive map of awarded projects.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is awarding $13.75 million through its new Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program to 12 nonprofits, Tribal-led organizations, farmers, and other organizations to plan for or implement and expand community food hubs throughout the state. 

A food hub is a business or organization that aggregates, distributes, and markets food products from local and regional producers to meet demand from wholesale, retail, and institutional buyers. Food hubs provide a business and logistics structure that helps small- and mid-scale farmers reach larger markets, improving healthy food access and supporting the local economy.

The grant program received one-time funding for investments in organizations to develop new and expand existing community food hubs to support local farming and indigenous food production, to accelerate climate adaptation and resilience, and to employ food system workers with fair wages and working conditions.

Five planning grants (Track 1) will support organizations to develop feasibility studies, business strategies, logistics and distribution systems, as well as plans to evaluate new food hubs while scaling up emerging operations. These projects will examine opportunities in Colusa, Fresno, Modoc, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Tuolumne and Yolo counties.

Seven implementation grants (Track 2) will support food aggregation, distribution infrastructure, and operating costs for five years, kickstarting new and emerging operations and supporting the expansion of existing food hubs. All projects will strengthen market access for California food producers and prioritize public institutions and nonprofit buyers like K-12 public schools, food banks, food-is-medicine programs, and programs operated by California Native American Tribes. Track 2 award recipients are expected to partner with at least 159 California food producers, of which 98 percent use sustainable, climate-smart or regenerative practices; 97 percent operate on 500 acres or less; and 71 percent are considered socially disadvantaged. 

CDFA-F2F received 165 applications representing more than $148 million in project proposals. With $13.75 million available for grants, the program was oversubscribed by almost 11 times more than the available amount.

Awards include more than $2.2 million for Tribal-led organizations, exceeding the goal to award at least 10 percent of funding for California Native American Tribes and Tribal-led nonprofit organizations.

Visit the Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program webpage to read awarded project summaries and view an interactive awards map.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork, Farm to Community Food Hubs Program | Tagged , | Leave a comment

CDFA recognizes September as National Food Safety Education Month

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Joshua Bingham
CDFA Produce Safety Program staff conducts food safety education across California in 2025. 

CDFA recognizes September as National Food Safety Education Month with a continuing commitment to food safety education across California.

For example, the CDFA Produce Safety Program’s goals are to “educate before and while we regulate,” and to support California produce farmers in understanding how to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

Earlier this year, Produce Safety Program staff engaged with multiple partners, stakeholders and conferences across California to discuss food safety topics, including the new Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Final Rule.

Additional opportunities to engage with CDFA’s Produce Safety Program include:

If interested in partnering with CDFA’s Produce Safety Program on a food safety training event, please contact producesafety@cdfa.ca.gov.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program, Food Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Apply by Sept. 30 to fill one of two vacancies on Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces two vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC).

This subcommittee provides technical and scientific advice to the Feed Inspection Advisory Board and CDFA on animal food nutrition, safety and efficacy data review of new and unapproved feed ingredients, research project oversight and other issues that will affect the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, Livestock Drug Program and Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) Program.

Applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of toxicology, pathology, ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, as well as possess general knowledge of the California feed industry.

The term of office for subcommittee members is three years. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.

Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should send a resume and a Feed TASC Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/FIAB-TASC_PMAQ.pdf) to SAFE@cdfa.ca.gov. The application deadline is September 30, 2025.

For further information about the Feed Inspection Advisory Board TASC, please contact CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch staff at (916) 900-5022 or visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/Feed_FIAB.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed Inspection Advisory Board, CDFA Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Livestock Drug Program, CDFA Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) | Tagged , | Leave a comment

CDFA announces vacancies on Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing vacancies on the Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee.

The committee advises the CDFA Secretary on matters pertaining to the Direct Marketing Program, including legislation, regulations, enforcement, and administrative policies and procedures related to the direct marketing of California-grown agricultural products at Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFMs). California currently has more than 2,700 certified agricultural producers participating in approximately 700 CFMs within the state.

Current vacancies include five members who are producers or representatives of agricultural organizations that represent producers, six alternate members who are producers or representatives of agricultural organizations that represent producers, and six alternate members who are CFM operators or representatives of operators.

The term of office for committee members is two years, with a maximum of four consecutive two-year terms. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of applicable travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.

Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should complete the Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (PMAQ) available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/pdfs/CFM-PMAQ.pdf and submit a letter of recommendation from an industry member. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Applications should be sent to Kristi Garcia, CDFA Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via e-mail to Kristi.Garcia@cdfa.ca.gov. For further information on the Direct Marketing Program and CFMAC vacancies, contact Jennifer Leidolf at Jennifer.Leidolf@cdfa.ca.gov.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Direct Marketing Program, CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, Certified Farmers Market, Certified Farmers Market Advisory Committee | Tagged , | Leave a comment