Time to Mobilize

Our Food System is Under Threat

Updated March 12, 2025 • San Diego Food System Alliance team

This week is a critical time to mobilize for our community food system.

In the last several weeks, without warning nor explanation, the federal government has frozen funding for dozens of essential, ongoing programs that directly impact San Diego County’s local farmers, fishermen, food business owners, and nonprofit organizations. Federal agencies have ceased all communications, sowing chaos and confusion, and failing to honor contract terms already in place.

This leaves countless beloved farms, fisheries, food businesses, and organizations in San Diego County without the funds to maintain operations and staff livelihoods. Safety nets supporting working families and enforcing ecological protections across the country have also been compromised. These funds and programs were guaranteed by contract, and relied upon by our local food system leaders and workers—and many agreements have suddenly been abandoned.

We are asking our community to take the following actions:

1) Urge Congress to Address Federal Funding Freezes
2) Urge Representatives At All Levels of Government to Broadly Protect Our Local Food Economy
3) Call for Philanthropy to Support Bridge Funding

Beyond surviving the gap created by these frozen funds and contracts, our region’s food and farm businesses, our Alliance, and many other food system leaders across our region and state are strategizing about the future of funding this essential food system work that cultivates justice, fights climate change, and builds resilience. We will continue to share with our community as we unearth solutions and find ways forward, together.

1) Urge Congress to Address Federal Funding Freezes

USDA and other federal agencies manage critical funding for programs that enable small and midsize producers to access capital and land, find local markets, mitigate risk, and adopt climate-resilient practices. Federal programs also establish safety nets that protect working families and enforce ecological protections to steward natural resources. In the last several weeks, without warning nor explanation, funding for several programs has been frozen, and agencies have ceased all communications, failing to honor contract terms already in place.

  • What’s Happening

    Without warning nor explanation, the federal government froze and unfroze funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA), which provides funding for state, tribal and territorial governments to purchase foods produced within the state or within 400 miles of the delivery destination to support local, regional and underserved producers. After initially freezing these funds, the USDA subsequently released the funds for existing contracts, but are not planning to offer a second round of funding for 2025. The purpose of this program is to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. Building shorter food supply chains comprised mostly of local producers and food businesses provides a more sustainable and equitable alternative to the dominant way of moving food.

    Local Impact

    In San Diego County, our beloved Foodshed Cooperative is at risk. Foodshed is a farmer-owned cooperative of 60+ farms regenerating land, livelihoods, and communities across San Diego County. Foodshed prioritizes working with farms owned and operated by producers of color, farms that serve marginalized communities, and farms using climate-resilient practices.

    In addition to the impact on Foodshed, San Diego’s two large food banks (San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego) have been relying on the LFPA to purchase high-quality, fresh and locally grown food for communities in need. Losing LFPA has an impact on healthy food access for residents across our region.

    Take Action Now

    Visit Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)’s action page for this item, which includes a script, info on how to call your US Senator and Representative, and more about the essential programs being impacted. Urge our representatives to push back against the freeze and reinstate this vital program. 

  • What’s Happening

    Without warning nor explanation, the federal government has ceased all communication and frozen funding for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, which was launched to diversify farms’ income streams while building climate resiliency into working lands. Essentially, the program incentivizes farms of all scales across the U.S. to participate in implementing production practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon, such as cover crops, no-till, mulching, building healthy soil, and tree/shrub establishment.

    Local Impact

    Again, Foodshed Cooperative is at risk. Through this program, Foodshed was able to pilot their Climate Smart Incentive Program by providing participating farmers with cash payments on top of sales, as well as high-quality training and technical assistance. Together with LFPA, this program provided critical revenue for farmer livelihoods, as well as for sustaining and growing Foodshed and San Diego County’s network of small-scale, climate-smart, and specialty crop farmers. 

    Take Action Now

    Call your US Senator and Representative and urge them to push back against the freeze of Climate-Smart Commodities, and to reinstate this vital program. 

  • What’s Happening

    Without warning nor explanation, the federal government has ceased nearly all communication and frozen funding for the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program (LCM). The program was originally launched to help underserved producers access land, capital, and markets. Land access is critical for food production and agriculture. This grant funds organizations across the country who are working to increase essential access to land and farm ownership opportunities, markets and capital, land succession, agricultural business planning, and more.

    Local Impact

    San Diego Food System Alliance is a recipient of this grant and relies on this funding to operate our Local Food Economy Lab and support staff and farmer livelihoods. While funding is frozen and our Land Tenure & Stewardship program is formally on pause, we will continue to engage with municipalities and farmers as needed and provide support to San Diego County farmers on land issues. 

    Take Action Now

    Call your US Senator and Representative and urge them to push back against the freeze of Land, Capital, and Market Access, and to reinstate this vital program.

  • What’s Happening

    Without warning nor explanation, the federal government has ceased nearly all communication and frozen funding for the Regional Food Business Centers Program (RFBC). The program was originally launched to support farms and food businesses to create new market opportunities, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen their regional supply chains. In partnership with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the Regional Food Business Centers are operated by lead organizations and partner networks embedded across each region. They offer technical assistance, capacity building awards, and coordinate services to catalyze the growth of regional food economies.

    Local Impact

    San Diego Food System Alliance is a recipient of this grant and depends on this funding to operate our Local Food Economy Lab — in particular, our Pollinator program, business stewardship and coaching support services, and capital access work. Through these programs, the Alliance supports the viability of dozens of small-scale farmers, fishermen, and food business owners across our region.

    Take Action Now

    Call your US Senator and Representative and urge them to push back against the freeze of Regional Food Business Centers Program and to reinstate this vital program.

  • What’s Happening

    Without warning nor explanation, the federal government has ceased nearly all communication and frozen funding for recipients of National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Science in Your Neighborhood (SiYN) grant. NSF funds research, education, training programs, community partnerships, and infrastructure related to science—helping dismantle barriers and encourage diversity in science.

    Local Impact

    Project New Village is a recipient of this grant (in collaboration with local organizations Fleet Science Center, WorldBeat Center, Valencia Park/Malcolm X Branch of the San Diego Public Library, and more), as well as other federal funding currently at risk. Project New Village, founded in 1994, is a longtime Southeastern San Diego movement leader, transforming the political and economic environment of this neighborhood by building up urban agriculture cooperatives to resist food insecurity and remove barriers to good food. Improving fresh food access is part of a broad-based movement to build community wealth and sovereignty for Southeastern San Diego residents.

    Take Action Now

    Call your US Senator and Representative and urge them to push back against the freeze of Science in Your Neighborhood and to reinstate this vital program.

  • What’s Happening

    House and Senate Republicans are currently engaged in a special budget process known as reconciliation, which allows a party that controls both chambers of Congress to pass sweeping policy bills on a simple majority vote. What we’re hearing is that on March 14, budget decisions will become clear, and these will almost certainly result in substantial cuts to essential programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

    The House budget resolution, passed on February 28, instructs congressional committees to slash at least $2 trillion in spending to fund tax cuts, including deep reductions in critical safety nets that support working families. If cuts to SNAP move forward, we will see food assistance and child nutrition programs slashed for millions, as well as sales affected for farms and food businesses that accept SNAP. If cuts to Medicaid move forward, they will force states to reduce coverage, limit benefits, or remove millions of low-income individuals and families—including farmers and farmworkers—from affordable healthcare access.

    Take Action Now

    Call your US Senator and Representative and urge them to reject these harmful cuts, and to defend SNAP and Medicaid as essential programs for farmers and working families.

  • What’s Happening

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a watchdog agency that defends U.S. farmers and everyday people against predatory financial practices and corporate greed. During his first administration, Trump appointed a director who stripped the agency’s ability to pursue discrimination cases, dropped a lawsuit against payday lenders, and fired its consumer advisory board. With an aggressive return during the Biden administration, the CFPB regulated both large banks and nonbank entities, including mortgage, auto, and private student loan issuers; limited overdraft fees; and enforced rules for making consumer financial products more fair and efficient—altogether estimating $20B in consumer relief. The CFPB now faces the threat of dismantlement with mass layoffs already underway under the new administration. 

    Take Action Now

    Visit HEAL Food Alliance’s action page for this item and others. Through this page, you can send an email or call your representatives to advocate for the importance of upholding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

  • What’s Happening

    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) runs our weather service, manages our fisheries, and conducts critical climate research. Early this year, DOGE startled NOAA staff by entering the agency’s Maryland headquarters unannounced to gain access to its IT systems. 10% of staff lost their jobs in the first mass federal government layoffs, and now, NOAA employees are bracing for more, as well as steep budget cuts. Housed within NOAA, NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat. U.S. fisheries are among the world’s largest and most sustainable, due to NOAA’s oversight and fishery management process. The ecological stakes of defunding NOAA are incredibly high, as are the economic ones.

    Local Impact

    NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, commercial fishing families of San Diego County

    Take Action Now

    Call your US Senator and Representative and urge them to reject these harmful cuts, and to defend NOAA as an essential program for commercial fishing families, local food economies, and our planet.

2) Urge Representatives At All Levels of Government to Broadly Protect Our Local Food Economy

In these chaotic times, representatives at all levels of government rely on active participation and support from constituents. California state lawmakers are taking action to protect civil liberties, rights, and public services at risk. Municipalities are also facing the likely impacts of suspended federal grants and loans: infrastructure delays, threats to public services, cash flow concerns, and more—especially in rural or unincorporated communities. As constituents, we can speak up to support ongoing efforts, and call for broad protections of our local food economy and working families.

Representatives to Call and Write to

How to Advocate

  • Know your representatives
    Know the decision makers in your region and whether they align with yours and your community’s interests.

  • Be specific about impacts
    Name specific grants (like the list above), programs, or agencies that have frozen funding and impact your work or community. Name the specific impacts, including data if you have any, as well as names of organizations or businesses affected.

  • Call for broad support of our local food economy
    Urge representatives to support federal funding, programs, and policies that support small- and mid-scale farms, fisheries, and food businesses. Ask about ways that local and state governments can use their power to bridge gaps in federal programs and funding, and to create policies that support a thriving local food economy.

  • If you can, act with a group or coalition
    Collaborating with a group can yield a more powerful message. Here’s an example: The Fishing Communities Coalition recently released a powerful letter to the U.S. Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture with clear demands and policy examples. The Alliance can support cooperative efforts to mobilize—reach out to Rachel Oporto, Community Building & Partnerships Director, at rachel@sdfsa.org.

Use the 5 Calls Tool daily to speak up for what’s important to you, and to explore active topics in your region.

Review our Advocacy 101 webinar and Political Kinship: Building a Relationship with the Policy Process videos for more information on how to advocate locally in San Diego County.

3) Call for Philanthropy to Support Bridge Funding

Funders and philanthropists — Bridge funding to protect livelihoods, nonprofits, and businesses is urgently needed! The sudden halt and risk of losing critical federal funding has created widespread uncertainty and economic hardship for farmers. Essential producers and workers have always been undervalued and at risk. Now more than ever, they truly need our support.

Beyond bridge funding, our region absolutely needs funders to invest and shift more capital toward local farmers, fishermen, and food business owners long-term. Federal grants, while a critical source of funding and support, can be restrictive, rarely last more than a few years, and are vulnerable to abrupt changes like the ones we’re seeing now. No region can truly thrive without a vibrant and resilient local food economy. We encourage philanthropic leaders to invest in the work our farmers, fishermen, and food business owners are doing everyday to realize this vision.

Take Action Now

We invite funders to work with the San Diego Food System Alliance and our Local Food Economy Lab to sustain essential funding for local businesses, and support our ability to mobilize additional resources directly to impactful grassroots efforts and communities in need. Supporting general operating expenses is the most powerful way to make a difference. This secures livelihoods—by far the most critical need.