The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board represents a commitment to the highest level of safety and quality for all cantaloupe consumers. California cantaloupes are produced under a mandatory food safety program that invites government auditors to inspect all aspects of farming, packing and cooling operations.

via Welcome to California Cantaloupes | California Cantaloupes.

If inspectors are not funded – then the invitations will mean nothing and listeria will be found making people ill again. They either pay for inspection themselves to the USDA, there is no assurance of safety!