California Lettuce Regulations Blamed For Massive Farming Cost Surge

New data from a Cal Poly study shows regulatory compliance costs for California lettuce farms have surged from about $109 per acre in 2006 to more than $1,600 per acre in 2024 — an increase of roughly 1,400%. The study, which tracked a large Salinas Valley lettuce grower, found expanding regulations tied to food safety, labor, air quality, water use, and workplace standards have dramatically raised production costs in a state responsible for around 70% of America’s lettuce supply, fueling concerns over rising grocery prices and the impact of heavy regulation on farming.

Don't forget the good boys!

Don't forget the big boys!

Head on a swivel, friends! Keep stacking. Don't stop.