Assembly committee adopts resolution urging protection of federal funding for Local Food for Schools

AJR 6, a resolution urging federal representatives to protect and restore funding for Local Food for Schools and related programs, was adopted by the California State Assembly Committee on Agriculture after supporters described the program’s benefits for school nutrition and local farm economies.

The resolution, presented by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, asks federal officials to continue supporting purchases of California-grown food for school meals and childcare programs. In a roll call taken after testimony, the committee recorded eight affirmative votes and adopted the resolution.

AJR 6’s backers told the committee the program has delivered both nutrition and economic returns. Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry said the program supports “our farmers, our food producers, and our economy,” and described school meals as essential for many children. She cited a reported return of $2.16 in economic activity for every dollar invested in local food systems.

Testimony from growers and school nutrition staff described concrete uses of the funds. Shane Zirilgan, co-owner of Fiery Ginger Farm and Spork Food Hub, said his organizations aggregate and distribute produce from more than 70 family farms to K–12 schools across several counties, and that the Local Food for Schools cooperative agreement program produced “a win-win for California farmers and school children.” Diane Flores, executive director of nutrition services and the Central Kitchen at Sacramento City Unified School District, described local procurement partnerships that supply salad-bar vegetables, honey, granola and tree-ripened fruit from identified California farms.

Speakers cited program statistics during testimony: an initial allocation of more than $23,000,000 in 2022–2023 reached 319 school districts and included allocations such as roughly $150,000 to districts in Merced, about $200,000 to Modesto City Elementary, $185,000 to Desert Sands Unified and approximately $104,000 to districts in Shasta County. Witnesses warned that recent federal cuts totaling roughly $70,000,000 put future local purchasing at risk; testimony estimated reduced purchasing of about $47,000,000 for food banks and more than $100,000,000 in reduced direct food purchasing for California programs if USDA funding is not restored.

Public commenters included representatives from the California School Employees Association, Community Alliance for Family Farmers, and an office representing Kat Taylor; all stated support for AJR 6. Committee members did not pose substantive questions; Aguiar-Curry closed by asking for an aye vote and the resolution was adopted. The committee left the roll call open for absent members during the meeting but ultimately recorded eight ayes.

AJR 6 is a resolution (nonbinding) expressing the Assembly’s position and asking federal representatives to act. The resolution does not by itself allocate state funds. Supporters said the primary near-term effect would be a federal decision to preserve or restore program funding that underwrites local procurement and food-bank purchases. The committee’s action places the resolution on the record; any federal funding decisions remain under federal jurisdiction.

Votes at a glance: AJR 6 — Adopted on committee vote (8–0).