The Trump Administration is at it again, with another proposed rule that would cut the precious CalFresh dollars that many Californians spend to put food on their table. SNAP/CalFresh helps millions of Californians buy the food they want to eat directly from retailers in their communities. Under the proposed rule, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated that more than 7 million people will see their benefits cut, and 68 percent of those cuts are likely to come from households with children. As with previous proposed rules, the Administration’s estimates do not take into account the full range of harm caused by the proposed policy.
This rule not only takes food away from food insecure Californians, it also takes millions out of California’s farming economy. According to the USDA, nationally SNAP benefits are used to purchase 473 million dollars worth of vegetables each year. California produces a sizable majority of many American-grown vegetable crops and with many farms across the state still rebuilding and recovering from the devastation of unprecedented wildfires, this rule change could exacerbate harm already being felt in the state’s agricultural sector.
This latest USDA rule change is terrible for Calfresh participants, and could have a significant impact on California’s agricultural economy. Join us in telling the Trump Administration to stop this latest assault on California.
Say “NO” to the proposed rule that would fuel hunger across California
Submit comments in opposition to the rule by December 2nd:
Commenting is easy! Get started today with the CFPA Template Comments. We ask that you modify the language to reflect your own thoughts and experiences so that each submission counts as a unique comment.
Below, you will find additional downloadable sample comments to match your organizational priorities:
- Child-specific sample comments. doc
- Older adult and people with disabilities sample comments, courtesy of the California Association of Food Banks. doc
- Food bank sample comments, courtesy of the California Association of Food Banks. doc
- Legal services sample comments, courtesy of the Western Center on Law and Poverty. doc
When you’re done writing your comments, submit them here.
Want to learn more and help spread the word?
Visit our national and state partners’ Opposition Campaign Headquarters: this campaign document contains background info, social media content, and comment writing resources.
Thank you for making your voice heard and saying “Hands Off SNAP!”
Questions?
Contact: Melissa Cannon at 209.200.8446
