Everyone’s Harvest faces closures due to budget cuts

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- This afternoon, volunteers with Everyone’s Harvest worked together to pack the final boxes of produce, following the recent freeze of USDA grant funding. A federal government directive has left programs like Farms Together scrambling to adjust, as they are no longer able to provide the crucial support to local families and farmers.

Hester Parker, Director of Everyone’s Harvest, shared her concern about the immediate impacts the funding freeze is having on the community. "We have so many families who have shared wonderful stories about how this program has increased their ability to buy fruits and vegetables they normally can't afford at grocery stores," Parker said. "This funding freeze is a dual impact. It's harming both the farmers and the rural economies that depend on them, as well as the families who rely on this support."

Farms Together, which has been helping local families access fresh produce, is now struggling to navigate the loss of its USDA support. Guadalupe Quintero, a local organic farmer who has worked with the program since its inception in April 2024, expressed her disappointment. "It wasn’t a surprise because we were already warned," she said. "But unfortunately, most of my harvest will go to waste. I’ve relied on programs like these to make sure my produce reaches the community."

Quintero emphasized the deep need for programs like Everyone’s Harvest in the local area. "There is so much need here in the community," she explained, pointing to how vital the program has been for many families.

Since launching, this local program has served nearly 285 families weekly, providing them with essential access to fresh, organic food. With the recent cuts to funding, both Parker and Quintero are concerned about the future of food security in the region.

However, Parker assures that the organization is doing its best to pivot in these uncertain times. "What we are doing now is trying to provide alternative solutions," she explained. "For families who have SNAP benefits, we are offering additional support through our farmers market. For every $30 spent, we are gifting an additional $30 to help stretch their budgets further.

Everyone's Harvest continues to search for funding alternatives to support the essential work they do in providing fresh, nutritious food to local families and maintaining a stable income for local farmers. The community is encouraged to stay informed about upcoming initiatives that may offer continued support.