For Immediate Release: February 4th, 2025
Sacramento, CA – The California Food and Farming Network (CFFN) releases the 2024 Food and Farming Scorecard, tracking key food and farming legislation and revealing policy votes of California’s 120 elected state legislators.
This 12th iteration of the report builds upon the work of Roots of Change and the California Food Policy Council who first initiated the food and farming scorecard. The purpose of the report is to encourage a more transparent culture between representatives and their constituents who care about food and farming issues. The scorecard is a tool for constituents and advocates to continue engaging in critical conversation with their representatives toward co-governance.
The 2024 Food & Farm Scorecard tracks 10 key pieces of 2024 legislation that have an impact on essential food system workers, solutions to the climate crises, healthy food access, and systemic racism and hunger. Of the legislation tracked this year, 5 pieces, or 50%, were fully achieved.
“Our food system is dynamic, and every legislative cycle we have an opportunity to move closer towards a repaired and thriving food system,” said Beth Smoker, Policy Director at the California Food and Farming Network, “2024 laid some stepping stones, but there is a long way to go until our farmworkers, small farmers, BIPOC communities, and families facing hunger are integrated into a dignified and sustainable food system.”
The majority of Assemblymembers and Senators earned passing scores. CFFN acknowledged two legislators for their leadership on food and farming causes over the past year: Assemblymember Mia Bonta and Assemblymember Damon Connolly.
Over the course of her three years as Assemblymember, Bonta has been pivotal in addressing public health and nutritional disparities. Throughout her time, she’s been a champion for medically supportive food and nutrition efforts, School Meals for All, and WIC at mobile farmers markets, to name a few. She has been highly aligned with the food movements’ priorities.
Assemblymember Connolly quickly established himself as a food and farming ally, championing sustainable agriculture issues. He’s authored bills aimed at strengthening organic farming and pesticide regulation and has been a huge support for the ability of California families to access healthy, fresh foods from local farmers.
The scorecard also re-honors three Alumni Food and Farm Champions whose term limits have been honorably served: Senator Nancy Skinner, Assemblymember Phil Ting, and Senator Susan Eggman.
The report evaluated Governor Gavin Newsom’s performance both on legislation that crossed his desk and budget items that were or were not included in any of his proposed or final budgets. He was in alignment with the food movement 56 percent of the time, down 11 points from last year.
As the 2025 legislative cycle ramps up with a continued budget deficit, climate change disasters, and federal policies threatening communities throughout California, CFFN aims to hold the line and continue to build forward momentum toward an equitable and thriving food system.
A celebration to honor the Food & Farm Champions will be held tomorrow 02/05/25 at 5:30 pm in Sacramento.
Contact: Beth Smoker, bsmoker@caff.org
###
