WASHINGTON
Padilla, Schiff, Panetta lead California Democratic delegation demanding continuation of critical food programs
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), along with Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), led all members of the California Democratic Congressional delegation in demanding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reverse harmful federal program cancellations and freezes impacting state food banks and farmers. Chair of the California Democratic Congressional delegation Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18) and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11) also co-led the letter.
Despite encompassing less than 4 percent of the country’s farmland, California generates over 11 percent of the U.S. agricultural value — over a third of the country’s vegetables and over three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts are grown in California. The Trump Administration’s discontinuation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreements for 2025 and the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program, along with its freeze of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funds, jeopardizes food assistance for more than 6 million Californians and threatens the livelihoods of more than 600 California farmers. A network of 49 food banks, serving 58 counties in California, have already seen over 300 food loads paused or canceled.
“These programs provide critical support to farmers and food producers in California while ensuring access to nutritious, locally sourced food for families, students, and communities, which we feel are in line with this Administration’s stated goals to provide more opportunities for Americans to eat healthy, support farmers, and boost domestic demand for produce,” wrote the lawmakers.
“We remain committed to working with USDA to find solutions that sustain and expand market access for American farmers while ensuring that families and communities continue to benefit from fresh, locally produced food. We respectfully request that you revisit these decisions in light of the millions of our constituents who would be impacted,” continued the lawmakers.
In addition to Padilla, Schiff, Panetta, Lofgren, and Pelosi, the letter was also signed by other elected Representatives of various Congressional districts including Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Ami Bera (D-Calif.-06), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28).
Earlier this month, Senator Padilla joined a Senator Schiff-led letter demanding the reversal of the USDA’s cancellation of $1 billion in food purchase programs across the United States, warning of the harmful impacts this move will have on both families and American farmers. The full text of the letter is available online at: https://panetta.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/panetta.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2025%2C03.28_LETTER_CA%20DEL%20USDA%20Food%20Programs.pdf
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LAKE COUNTY
Road closure planned for Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest
Beginning April 1, road access to Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest will be closed to facilitate essential road improvements. It is anticipated to reopen on May 1st, 2025. The project will focus on restoring roadside drainage and grading the road surfaces, aiming to enhance environmental conditions and improve emergency access that has been impacted by winter weather.
During this period, vehicle access will be limited to the main parking area below the heliport. For safety reasons, visitors are advised to avoid areas with heavy equipment while work is underway.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we complete these necessary upgrades. For more information, please contact the forest office at (707) 928-4378.
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LAKE COUNTY
Library starts new ESL Conversation Club
The Lake County Library Literacy Program has begun offering a free English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Club at its Lakeport and Clearlake branches for community members to practice English with their peers in a small group setting. Sign-ups are not necessary, and drop-ins are welcome.
The Conversation Club is offered at the Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High Street in Lakeport, from 5 to 6:30 pm on the third Wednesday of every month.
The Conversation Club is offered at the Redbud Library, located at 14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake, from 5 to 6:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of every month.
For more information or if you have questions, call the Library Literacy Program at 707-263-7633 or email literacy@lakecountyca.gov.
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