NEWS: Schiff, Thompson, Valadao Secure Federal Relief for Peach Farmers

Farmers to be provided USDA assistance following peach processing plant closure

California - Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04) and David Valadao (R-Calif.-22) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted their request for aid and will make up to $9 million available to fund a clingstone peach tree removal program for California farmers. Following the closure of Del Monte processing facility in Modesto, countless peach growers in the region are facing widespread contract cancellations, no market for their crop, and lack a viable path to mitigate their losses. This assistance from USDA will support affected growers in pulling trees and transitioning to new crops.

"Following our urging to the Trump administration to deliver relief to peach farmers, I am pleased that USDA is unlocking this federal funding," said Senator Schiff. "California is the nation's largest agriculture state and I'm glad Secretary Rollins is engaging with us to support our producers."

"Proud to have helped secure up to $9 million to support peach farmers in Yuba, Sutter, and surrounding regions," said Representative Thompson. "When a processing facility closes and 55,000 acres of fruit suddenly have nowhere to go - that's not something a family farm can just absorb. This funding is a critical step in ensuring these important multi-generational businesses can stay afloat. Thank you Senator Schiff and Rep. Valadao, Assemblyman Gallagher, and our local leaders and farmers who helped make this happen."

"For generations, Central Valley family farms have relied on Del Monte's Modesto facility to process their peaches, and its sudden closure left growers with thousands of pounds of fruit and no clear path forward," said Representative Valadao. "After working closely with my California colleagues and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I'm proud to have helped secure up to $9 million to support our peach growers and keep local family farms afloat. This investment will give producers the time they need to adjust and plan for the future, and I'm grateful to Congressman Thompson, Senator Schiff, and our local leaders for their partnership."

Background:

Schiff, Thompson, and Valadao led a bipartisan group of 38 colleagues to request Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issue assistance to impacted peach farmers. The full text of the letter can be found here.

As the lawmakers requested, USDA's assistance to farmers will include up to $9 million for the removal of up to 420,000 clingstone peach trees - approximately 3,000 acres - prior to the 2026 harvest season. Based on USDA's analysis, removing 50,000 tons of peaches from production could save growers roughly $30 million in projected losses.

In addition to Schiff, Thompson, and Valadao, the letter was signed by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), and Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Vince Fong (R-Calif.-20), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Adam Gray (D-Calif.-13), Josh Harder (D-Calif.-09), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Young Kim (R-Calif.-40), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.-23), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.- 12), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.-27).

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