Assembly urges Congress to restore Local Food for Schools funding after federal cuts

The California Assembly on the floor Wednesday adopted Assembly Joint Resolution 6 calling on Congress to protect federal funding for the Local Food for Schools and Childcare program after a federal cancellation of an expected funding round.

The resolution, presented by Majority Leader Agri R. Curry, asks federal leaders to reverse the decision to cancel an anticipated $70,000,000 in support that state lawmakers say would have supported school meal programs and local farmers.

Supporters told colleagues the program is a safety net for children and a market for small and socially disadvantaged farmers. “Every dollar invested in local food systems generates over $2 in economic activity,” Majority Leader Agri R. Curry said as she introduced the resolution, citing program data and state impacts. “An aye vote will call for supporting children and farmers and lowering the cost of healthy food.”

Why it matters: Backers said the White House cancellation would not only reduce access to nutritious meals for children — in some districts the only daily meal for many students — but would also remove demand that helps sustain small farms and local food businesses. Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Soria said the first round of federal funding had reached hundreds of small farmers and dozens of food banks and community partners in California, and that a new round had been structured to prioritize historically underserved producers.

What lawmakers said: Multiple members from both parties framed the vote as a nonpartisan defense of children and rural economies. Assemblymember Addis, a teacher, said many students “rely on school meals as their only daily source of nutrition.” Assemblymember Gibson said cutting the funds would be “devastating” to students. Assemblymember Patel noted that in San Diego County more than 250,000 children depend on free school meals. Leader Gallagher, while supporting the resolution, said the program could use state and federal reform and improvements to connect California-grown food more efficiently to school plates.

Opposition and caveats: A few speakers urged fiscal caution and engagement with federal officials. Assemblymember Tongipa reported meeting with federal officials who emphasized competing budget priorities and urged working collaboratively rather than only issuing a rebuke. Some members said the program’s design could be improved to reduce waste and better connect producers to schools.

Formal action: The Assembly opened a roll for coauthors (73 coauthors were added) and then approved AJR 6 by roll call. The clerk recorded 76 ayes and 0 noes; the resolution was adopted.

Clarifying details: The resolution cites an anticipated $70,000,000 reduction in expected federal support for California from a second USDA funding round. Speakers said the first federal round had delivered roughly $23,000,000 to California and benefited over 500 small farmers and more than 50 food banks and community partners. Supporters stated the second round had been announced by USDA at $660,000,000 nationally and that an estimate used in floor remarks put the broader economic impact in California at roughly $150,000,000 if the program were funded and deployed as planned.

What happens next: AJR 6 is a formal request to Congress; it does not itself appropriate funds. The resolution asks federal leaders to restore or otherwise protect the local food funding and directs delivery of the Assembly’s position to Congress and relevant federal agencies.

Votes at a glance: Coauthors roll added 73 names; final roll vote on AJR 6: 76 ayes, 0 noes (adopted).

Speakers quoted in this article are listed in the attribution roster below.