Yolo County is proud of its deep agricultural roots. Our fields flourish with tomatoes, almonds, and rice and behind every harvest is a community that works hard to keep our region thriving. But even in a place so rich in food, not everyone has reliable access to it. Last spring, Yolo Food Bank partnered with Sacramento State University, Valley Vision, and the Yolo Food Security Coalition to better understand how food insecurity affects people across our county. Together, they released a comprehensive report to uncover where the need is greatest and why. One of the groups that stood out: the farmworkers and agricultural households who make our local food system possible.
Supporting Farmworkers Where They Live
Many farmworkers, most of whom are immigrants or long-time residents, face the highest living costs in the region while earning around $20,000 a year. To make ends meet, some skip meals, share crowded housing, or cut back on essentials like health care and transportation. They’re doing everything they can for their families but the gap is wide.That’s where Cultivo comes in.
This community-led program from Yolo Food Bank brings fresh, healthy, and culturally familiar foods directly to farmworkers—right where they live and work. In its first year, Cultivo reached 1,000 households through mobile food distributions at migrant housing communities and farm sites. “Cultivo’s approach is simple yet powerful,” said Karen Baker, executive director of Yolo Food Bank. “It’s about removing barriers, building trust, and showing up in ways that reflect the dignity of those we serve.”
A Grander Scope in Year Two
After a strong first year, Cultivo is growing. This season, the number of housing communities and farm sites with planned distributions will double, with a goal of reaching 2,500 households over the next eight months. It’s a bold goal and it’s made possible by people who care. The program launched with a $200,000 investment from Sutter Health, recognizing that food access is a key part of health and wellbeing. It’s guided by feedback from the community, through surveys, focus groups, and everyday conversations.
Just last month, Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs joined volunteers to help kick off the second year in Winters. He also committed $20,000 from his district’s community benefit funds to help the program expand. “I hope others across Yolo County—individuals, businesses, and organizations—will join the effort to support our essential agricultural workforce,” Frerichs said.
The momentum behind Cultivo is real, and it’s just getting started. What began as a pilot has quickly become a vital bridge between our local food system and the people who make it possible. The response from farmworker families, the support from partners, and the results from year one all point to the same truth: when we meet people with care, dignity, and good food, everyone thrives. As Cultivo grows to serve more households this season, we are energized by what’s ahead and deeply grateful for everyone who has made this progress possible.
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