Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced over $23.3 million in funding awarded to California through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Through this program, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will fund projects that strengthen California’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education, and research.
“We are happy to once again be partnered with California on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops and support the region’s specialty crop growers to help ensure their long-term success.”
Through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the CDFA will fund 44 projects. Among CDFA’s projects, is funding to the Center for Ecoliteracy to increase access to and consumption of specialty crops in schools by providing school nutrition staff with culturally inclusive specialty crop recipes, procurement support, and hands-on culinary training. Additional funded projects focus in areas such as technical support for specialty crops farmers, marketing, climate resiliency and sustainability, workforce development, and research.
California Grown: Always In Season - $2,231,000
Grant Administration - $1,915,049
Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association - $491,242
California Crop of the Month - $452,543
Increasing High-Value Sales of California Processing Tomatoes in the United State Restaurant Industry - $500,000
For a full list of the California awards, click here.
The funding to California is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2024 funding awarded to 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDA’s support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production, expand markets, and ensure an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops is available to all Americans.
