Farms, Food Banks, & State Leaders Unite to Strengthen Local Ag & Fight Hunger

Farms Together is Building Resilient Regional Food Systems and Bridging the Gap Between Small, Local Farms and Food Banks

This past Monday, Redwood Empire Food Bank buzzed with energy as it hosted a dynamic roundtable discussion centered on Farms Together — a groundbreaking initiative that’s transforming how food banks connect with local farms and farmers who have been historically marginalized. Farms Together, California’s iteration of the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) led by the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB), Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), and Fresh Approach.

This initiative is not just about food; it’s about forging meaningful partnerships between socially disadvantaged farms and community-based organizations to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods.

The Farms Together pilot program was seed funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Now, thanks to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Farms Together has been brought to scale with a growing network of 308 farms is delivering fresh, wholesome food to 33 food banks and other hunger relief organizations across the state.

So far this year, the program has already made a significant impact—purchasing around 2.17 million pounds of produce and providing about 1.8 million meals to Californians in need this year. It’s more than just numbers; it’s about empowering local, small-scale farms and ensuring they have a platform to share their produce, which is often overlooked in larger markets. Farms Together has invested $5.2 million in small farms and local food businesses in California, strengthening local economies and food systems this year.

“Working with FEED as part of the Farms Together program has amplified our ability to provide a healthy, nutritious, and hyper-local element to our provision of help for the communities we serve. With the looming cut in State funding while continuing to serve 140,000 of our neighbors in need, this program will significantly enhance the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s efforts to support those who rely on us for groceries.”

Allison Goodwin, Interim President & CEO of Redwood Empire Food Bank

“Farms Together is an opportunity for us to work on something so foundational to life. This program spends dollars locally, and local sourcing help provide culturally appropriate foods. In this way we are not only supporting our community farmers, but also supporting networks of suppliers while providing high quality, culturally relevant nourishment to improve health outcomes and avoid chronic disease. This means healthier people and healthier communities.”

California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Secretary Karen Ross

“Farms Together and other programs that provide critical food benefits, like CalFresh and SUN Bucks, complement one another, supporting recipients and freeing-up resources to pay for other necessities, such as rent and gas. That’s how we think about impact – the more food we can help families put on the table, the more resources they will have for other basic needs.”

California Department of Social Services’ Deputy Director Alexis Fernández Garcia

During Monday’s roundtable, leaders and participants shared their insights and hopes for the future:

• CDFA’s Secretary Ross
• CDSS’s Deputy Director Fernández Garcia
• REFB’s CEO Allison Goodwin and Director of Operations & Supply Chain Alison Smith
• Fresh Approach’s Executive Director Laura deTar and Food Access Program Director Andy Ollove
• CAFB’s CEO Stacia Levenfeld and VP of Supply Chain Maria Houlne
• CAFF’s Executive Director Paul Towers
• FEED’s Wholesale Manager Dylan Stein
• Induchucuiti Organic Farms’s Owner & Farmer Celsa Ortega