Local produce at Hijas de las Fresas in Santa Maria is being harvested not just for markets, but for neighbors in need.

Over the past year, the SLO Food Bank partnered with the USDA, which invested $600,000 to support buying from local farms and businesses. Miriam and Donna Olivera, co-owners of Hijas de la Fresa, one of the local farms SLO Food Bank has partnered with this past year.

“It’s gotten us through some rough times, especially at the beginning or end of the season when we are not producing as much," said Miriam Olivera, Hijas de la Fresa co-owner. "A little bit goes a long way.”

However, the USDA program investment has been cut.

“Our goal this first year is to do at least half of that," said Molly Kern, SLO Food Bank CEO. "Invest at least 300,000 dollars."

In response, the S

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