Inspection Services Blog

CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong counts down California CRUNCH!

On October 16, CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong joined the Community Alliance with Family Farmers California CRUNCH event at Charles Mack Elementary School in Sacramento. The “CRUNCH!” heard across the state is an annual event where California students all at once take a bite of locally grown fruits and vegetables to celebrate local farms and healthy eating!

Learn more about CDFA’s Farm to School healthy eating programs!

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog.

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

Check out and subscribe to Quarterly Feed Update newsletter

Highlights of the Fall 2025 Quarterly Feed Update include:

  • Congratulations Mike Davidson on Retirement
  • Welcome CFRP Inspector Justin Jacobson
  • Completing and Continuing Animal Food Safety Contract
  • Awarded Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards Cooperative Agreement
  • Obtaining Laboratory Flexible Funding Model Samples
  • Attending AAFCO Annual Meeting
  • Safe Animal Feed Education Program Speaks at Chico State
  • Important Dates

Click here to view and and subscribe to the newsletter!

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Center for Analytical Chemistry hosts Upward Mobility Program tour

CDFA Upward Mobility Program participants (right) tour a day in the work life of CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry environmental scientists (L-R) Ashwin Pal and Morgan Gannett.

The CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry laboratory recently hosted a tour for participants of the CDFA Upward Mobility Program (UMP), including mentees and mentors. During the tour, UMP participants learned about a day in the work life of laboratory environmental scientists supporting the abundance and safety of California’s food system, farm workers and environment.

UMP is designed to support CDFA employees by offering practical guidance for career advancement with the State Civil Service. It also is aligns with CDFA Strategic Plan Goal 3: Robust and Innovative CDFA Workforce. CDFA is committed to fostering a workplace free of barriers that promotes equal opportunity, access and growth across all areas of employment. The Center for Analytical Chemistry is proud to have multiple staff who have served in both the UMP mentor and mentee roles.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Farm to School Month Grantee Spotlight: Santa Ana Unified

As part of CDFA’s Farm to School Month celebrations, we’re highlighting an awardee in our Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) in Orange County.

The school district is a two-time grantee that has procured over 430,000 pounds of local and culturally relevant produce and has worked to develop farm to school culinary clubs, school gardens, local farm field trips, and farm to school-focused career technical education programs.

Thank you to SAUSD’s Farm to School Coordinator Moises Placencia, Food Service Director Joshua Goddard, and all of the SAUSD staff for the incredible farm to school work you do every single day modeling this important program for California and the nation!

If you would like to learn more about our Farm to School Program and our 250+ grantees, please visit the Farm to School Incubator Grant webpage well as the California Farm to School Program webpage

This year’s National Farm-to-School Month theme, Growing for the Future, emphasizes the role of farm to school in creating thriving communities now and in the future. Farm to school helps young children and students eat healthy, fresh and locally grown meals in schools, and helps provide local farmers with a reliable source of income by feeding their communities.

Click here to view this original CDFDA Planting Seeds blog.

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

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

(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!

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

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

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

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

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