When Government Shuts Down, Agriculture Steps Up; Grimmway Farms' Dana Brennan and Community Action Partnership of Kern's Savannah Oates Provide Op-Ed

KERN COUNTY, CA - In agriculture, we are defined by two things. We feed the nation, and we take care of our neighbors. When there is a need, we do not wait for someone else to step in. We step forward.

During the recent federal shutdown and temporary pause of SNAP benefits, thousands of families across our local communities suddenly found themselves without the resources to put food on the table. At one distribution in Bakersfield, approximately 2,500 households formed a four-mile line at the Kern County Fairgrounds for food support. The need appeared almost overnight.

Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) did what they always do. They mobilized. CAPK operates the largest charitable food network in the county and administers nineteen programs that meet people at their point of need. Their team coordinated emergency distributions in Bakersfield, Delano, Taft, Mojave, Arvin and other communities. They organized volunteers and ensured that families were treated with dignity throughout the process.

This is not new for CAPK. In 2024 alone, CAPK distributed an incredible 22.5 million pounds of food to fight hunger across our communities. Every month, more than 2 million pounds move through CAPK’s central distribution warehouse to a network of partner locations. When you partner with CAPK, you’re not just supporting one organization, you’re joining forces with hundreds of trusted local partners to ensure food reaches families where they need it most.

And we are not alone. Across the country, growers donate produce, labor and logistics capacity every single day to keep charitable food systems moving.

Grimmway Produce Group (GPG) and other growers partnered with CAPK to add something agriculture does better than anyone: move perishable food fast and at scale. Fresh, nutritious produce grown right here in our fields. Kern County agriculture has long held a quiet but profound tradition of supporting our local food banks. When our neighbors need food, we do not hesitate. We donate because feeding people is what we do.

At GPG, and for growers across the country, giving is not limited to moments of crisis. Our year-round giving program supports communities everywhere we operate. That includes our company home in Kern County, and it also includes dozens of other communities across the United States. During these uncertain times, we have partnered with retailers to ensure families have access to produce when circumstances become difficult. Whether it is here at home or across the country, we believe our responsibility goes beyond growing food. It extends to nourishing people.

CAPK is the backbone of this effort. They have built a network that brings food, stability, and compassion to families when life becomes unpredictable. They do this work year after year, with no spotlight required. When agriculture partners with CAPK, the result is simple. More people get fed.

This moment has shown the best of our community. Not blame. Not politics. Just action.

We are inviting others to join us. Growers, shippers, and ag partners all have a role to play, whether through donations of product, freight, cold storage or people. Donations of food, time or financial support help ensure that every family has access to what they need.

Needs can appear without warning. What never changes is how growers step in when people need us.

Agriculture feeds far more than consumers. We feed the charitable food system, too. When people need help, agriculture moves.