Protecting our Progress, Advancing Equity in California
The year began with immense hardship – the devastating LA fires uprooted entire communities and federal actions and rhetoric took direct aim at the very people centered in our advocacy campaigns. Yet, these past few weeks reaffirmed what we all know: the power of community is what drives change. The next four years will undoubtedly bring challenges as we fight against cruel and unjust policies and work to protect and build on the progress we’ve made together.
At Nourish California, we are committed to standing alongside community members, advancing our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) values through our community-centered campaigns to ensure that Californians have the food and other basic needs they need to thrive in our state. The stories that we tell both reflect and shape the values of our communities, serving as a powerful tool to advance our work. We’ve faced adversity before – navigating political divisions and economic recessions – but we know that this moment will require all of us to rise to new levels of resilience and a shift in the narrative on food equity.
While we are ready for the challenges ahead, we can’t do this alone. We invite you to join us to learn about our narrative change work, our 2025 campaigns and seed campaigns, and ways for you to take action. Together, we can change policies to make our state a more equitable place for all.
Narratives are rooted in a few basic beliefs and reinforced by stories that build out a single statement to an entire belief system. Narrative change seeks to counter these beliefs and cultural norms to shape how people understand an issue. An example of this is harmful and racist narratives that have been used to justify slavery in American history. Nourish California is dedicated to uplifting the true experiences of communities facing the starkest inequities to change the narrative on food access
Stories help us personalize movements that feel much larger than ourselves and challenge biases that we have accepted as truth. We have been partnering with storytellers through our campaigns to share their diverse experiences with food insecurity. By sharing a collection of stories, we shape the narrative of equitable futures for our communities– a future where all Californians have access to the food they need and want.
What’s in Motion: 2025 Policy Priorities
Nourish California’s policy advocacy campaigns prioritize the voices, experiences, and expertise of community members impacted by poverty, hunger, and other forms of systemic oppression. Our campaigns are designed to be collaborative, and address intersectional issues faced by Californians, ensuring they have access to food, resources, and other unique needs/rights of that community. These campaigns are rooted in deep listening and co-creation of policy change from ideation to implementation. By focusing on the lived experiences of those most impacted, Nourish California works to create lasting, equitable solutions that meet the diverse needs of communities across the state.
What’s On the Horizon: Seed Campaigns
A Nourish California seed campaign is an initiative, project, or collaborative effort that aims to engage community members, partners, and others to listen and learn about barriers to access to food and other basic needs. These campaigns serve as a starting point for exploration, learning, and supporting intersectional movements. Through listening and collaboration, seed campaigns help shape policy solutions, build trust, and lay the groundwork for a community-centered campaign that drives long-lasting policy change. While seed campaigns may not always include immediate action or a policy proposal, they often focus on forming partnerships, building coalitions, and conducting research.
