STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE MEETING TO COINCIDE WITH EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT IN SAN JOAQUIN

May 4th meeting to highlight ongoing impacts of drought in rural communities

SACRAMENTO, April 27, 2010 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will meet in the City of San Joaquin to address the ongoing food crisis within the Central Valley. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 22001 West Manning Avenue, San Joaquin, CA 93660.

“Working together with local communities and California’s farmers we can develop lasting solutions to provide emergency food assistance across this state,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “As Fresno County continues to experience ongoing impacts of drought, I encourage farmers and the public to come forward in addressing this crisis.”

The state board meeting will coincide with an Emergency Food Assistance Distribution Event in the City of San Joaquin coordinated by the Fresno Community Food Bank. Individuals and families impacted by drought in Fresno County will be able to receive food assistance.

“Food lines in Coalinga, Selma, San Joaquin, and Mendota are a harsh reality in the Central Valley,” said Al Montna, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “This is the human face of California’s water challenge –a lasting result of water delivery limitations and drought.”

California’s farmers and ranchers are encouraged to support emergency food assistance efforts in Fresno County.  For those individuals interested in participating, please contact Lisa Quiroz at the Community Food Bank in Fresno, phone: (559) 237-3663, ext. 112 or lquiroz@communityfoodbank.net.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and secretary of food and agriculture of findings as they impact agriculture and consumer needs.  The board conducts forums that bring together local, state, and federal government officials, agricultural representatives, and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

All California State Board of Food and Agriculture meetings are open to the media and general public.

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