Dear Friend,
Each year we gather with our friends, families, and neighbors to remember the things we are grateful for and to celebrate Thanksgiving. While we can sometimes lose sight of our many blessings, I hope you will join me in using this time of year as an opportunity to pause and be appreciative of the things we do have. As we know, the San Joaquin Valley’s vibrant agriculture system, farmers, and farmworkers play a critical role in putting food on dinner tables across our country. There are many opportunities during this holiday season – and throughout the year – to help those in need and provide a meal to our Valley neighbors. Local food banks offer a variety of these kinds of opportunities. For more information, here is a list of food banks that work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our California Department of Food and Agriculture to help address food insecurity issues in our communities: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Food-Banks We in the Valley have much to be thankful for, and I want to take this time to wish you, your family, and your loved ones a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Sincerely, Jim Costa |