Editor’s note: On March 7, the Tahoe Food Hub received notice that funding was released for current contracts. However, 4 days later, the nonprofit learned that the federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which funds The Farms Together program, was terminated along with several other programs that promote local food, nutrition, and food security.
For nearly a year, federal funding has kept families fed and small farms in business in the Tahoe area. At the end of February, without prior notice or clear justification, this funding was frozen. The Farms Together program, funded by the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA), is a vital California-based initiative that connects small and mid-scale farmers with families in need of fresh, nutritious food. For the past 7 months, Tahoe Food Hub has relied on this program to purchase thousands of pounds of produce from small family farms and distribute it to families in need through Sierra Community House. This sudden funding freeze has damaging consequences for the farmers we support and the families who depend on this food. The freeze creates widespread uncertainty, economic hardship for farmers, and disrupts critical food assistance for households across the state, including right here in the Tahoe/Truckee area.
Participating in the Farms Together program alongside our partners at Sierra Community House has been a privilege for us at the Tahoe Food Hub. With support from the LFPA, we’ve provided fresh, seasonal produce to local families facing food insecurity and directly supported dozens of small family farms, primarily in Placer and Nevada counties. Because these small farms don’t have access to larger distributors and institutional markets, Farms Together is a significant source of income and consistency.
California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet more than 1 in 5 Californians — approximately 9 million people — still struggle with food insecurity. Programs like Farms Together strengthen California’s local food system by bridging the gap between small producers and larger institutional buyers, creating a more equitable and resilient food system. Since December 2023, Farms Together has:
Supported 533 California-based farms
Purchased $20.7 million in California-grown fruits and vegetables
Partnered with 35 food hubs (like Tahoe Food Hub)
Delivered 8.7 million pounds of produce to families in need through 55 food pantries and distribution partners.
Without this funding, small farms that depend on this program to keep their businesses afloat will struggle to recover from the sudden loss of sales. At the same time, local food pantries like Sierra Community House will face supply shortages, making it harder to provide fresh, seasonal produce to families who need it most. This isn’t just a policy decision — it’s a direct hit to the well-being of our neighbors and the future of small farms in our region. We believe that access to fresh, local food is a human right and that investing in small farms builds a healthier, more resilient community. We urge community members to contact our federal representatives — Rep. Kevin Kiley and Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff — and demand the release of Farms Together funding. With enough voices, we can bring this critical program back online.
As the federal government continues to freeze essential funding, advocacy organizations like the Tahoe Food Hub and Sierra Community House need your help. You can help us continue our mission by making a donation, volunteering, or advocating for a release of funding. Your support will allow us to continue to feed local families and support local farmers during this uncertain time. Together, we can stand up for our small farms, our families, and the future of local food in Tahoe.
~ Maddie Rohner is the general manager at Tahoe Food Hub, which is dedicated to building a resilient, local food system. She holds a degree in environmental justice, sustainability, and food systems from UC Berkeley. When not supporting small farms, she can be found skiing, trail running, and exploring the beautiful Tahoe landscapes she feels fortunate to call home.
