Topic Category: CalFresh

Understanding Food Insecurity and Hunger in California

Posted on by Courtney Shojinaga

Key Findings from Focus Groups and Surveys Conducted in October 2023

Key takeaways

Food insecurity in the golden state continues to persist despite the efforts of state and federal benefit programs. Middle and low-income Californians continue to worry about and experience running out of money to buy food. In 2023, Nourish California partnered with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) to identify the barriers affecting the well-being of Californians. This research finds that:

  • Middle and low-income Californians continue to worry about running out of money to buy food. Fewer than one in five survey respondents are able to “always” get the food they need.
  • More than four in five of those who have been incarcerated, or have a household member who has been, say they often or sometimes worried about running out of food in the past year. 84% worry about running out of food and 78% have actually run out of food.
  • Extreme weather harms Californian food security. Two in five survey respondents say that extreme weather made it harder for them to get food, with the increase in cost surrounding the event being the primary challenge.
  • Experiences with unfair treatment and language barriers continue to be a deterrent to using public benefits. A quarter of survey respondents have experienced unfair treatment when applying for CalFresh. More than one in ten experienced a language barrier with CalFresh.
  • More than half of survey respondents do not trust the drinking water in their home. As a result, half of CalFresh recipients use their benefits to purchase drinking water, spending $20 or less on bottled water each week.
  • Cuts to benefits, including Cal-Fresh, WIC and P-EBT widely impact their ability to get the food they need and want. More than three-quarters of survey respondents say the end of CalFresh emergency allotments makes it harder for them to afford food. 74% say cutting WIC produce benefits will make it harder to afford the food they need and want.
twitter - 2024

Have questions?

Contact us at hello@nourishca.org. 

What’s next

We will continue to dive deeper into specific intersections of our research. Please keep an eye out for upcoming webinars and events!

Governor Newsom’s January Budget Avoids Major Cuts to Food Assistance, but More Investments Are Needed

Posted on by Jared Call

Overview

On January 10, Governor Newsom introduced his 2024-25 State Budget proposal, which failed to make the major investments needed to address the level of hunger, poverty, and inequity faced by Californians with low and moderate income. While we recognize state revenues are predicted to fall short this year, it is in such times of economic downturn that the state must invest in programs and services that foster equity and make California a state for ALL. 

Families are struggling to put food on the table, older adults need support to age with dignity, and kids and college students deserve to learn, grow and thrive to reach their full potential. State leaders should make bold investments in essential services and the long-term safety net.  We look forward to working with the Legislature and the Newsom Administration this legislative session to secure much-needed investments in food and nutrition programs that will mitigate the alarming, persistent rates of hunger and hardship across our state.

Below are a number of highlights from the Governor’s budget proposal with respect to Food and Nutrition.

Food and Nutrition 

Food4All/CFAP Expansion

The Governor’s budget proposal does not include new investments to remove exclusions to the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for Californians ages 54 and under, regardless of immigration status. Last year’s budget included a planned implementation date of October 2025, and the 2-24-25 proposal does not change that date. Nourish California, the California Immigrant Policy Center, and the Food4All campaign will continue to work with our legislative champions, the Legislature, and the Governor’s office to ensure timely access of CFAP benefits to Californians of all ages, regardless of immigration status. 

Take Action: Join the Food4All Campaign to expand CFAP to income-eligible Californians of all ages, regardless of immigration status. No exception, No exclusions, No delays!

Emergency Food

The Governor’s budget proposal maintains $8 million ongoing for food banks to purchase California-grown and produced foods. Nourish California and our partners call on the Governor and Legislature to provide adequate ongoing funding to address the ongoing elevated need across the state. For more information, see the California Association of Food Banks’ budget statement. 

School Meals 

The Governor’s proposed budget continues to invest in students’ access to breakfast and lunch — free of charge — each school day. The Governor proposes a $112M increase in funding for universal school meals to keep serving all children in 2024–25.

We applaud the administration for this commitment to health, well being, and learning among all kids in California public schools. We’ll continue to monitor investments in school nutrition as the state budget process continues. We urge the Governor and the Legislature to guarantee that funding for meal reimbursements remains secure, sustainable, and sufficient. We also call on state budget leaders to ensure schools have the necessary resources and capacity to reach all students with nutritious, appealing, culturally appropriate meals.

Take Action: Join the Campaign to Ensure Healthy Meals for Every Kid, Every Day

CalFresh

The Governor’s budget proposal maintains $915,000 for automation and $15M to fund the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot, which will ensure participating households receive no less than $50 per month in CalFresh benefits.

The 2024-25 January budget also maintains funding to continue to operate the Safe Drinking Water Pilot and CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot. However, without additional funding, these successful pilot projects will expire prematurely. That means participants will see a cut of $50 - $60 per month in the already inadequate CalFresh benefit allotments. Join us in calling on the Legislature and Governor to provide the necessary bridge funding to ensure no pilot participants see a cut to their vital food assistance.

There are no other proposed investments in CalFresh despite the rising rates of hunger and inadequate CalFresh benefit allotments. Join us in calling on the state to make CalFresh easier to enroll in and ensure benefit amounts are enough to last through the month.

Take Action: Join the Campaign to Boost CalFresh Benefits by extending successful supplemental benefit programs.

Early Care Nutrition

The Budget funding for the state meal reimbursement in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We are pleased that the state reimbursement for CACFP will continue following its long-overdue restoration in 2020.  The proposed budget fails, however, to bring equity to child care nutrition programs by eliminating the state meal reimbursement rate gap that unjustly discriminates against providers feeding younger children in family child care settings.

Take Action: Join the Food with Care 2023 Campaign to ensure healthy meals for our youngest learners and full reimbursement for child care providers. 

Other Programs to Support Food and Nutrition

The Governor also proposes a reversion of $33.2 million for the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), a program administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The funding supports “Market Match” and other projects that provide matching funds to CalFresh shoppers at local farmers’ markets. We urge the Legislature to reject this proposed cut and fully fund CNIP as provided in the 2023-24 budget.

Below are a number of highlights from the Governor’s budget proposal with respect to the broader social safety net.

Safety Net and Income Support 

CalWORKS

The proposed budget Proposes pursuing the “Work Participation Rate Pilot” in CalWORKs which is a vehicle to implement ReIMAGINE priorities, and proposes a 0.8% increase to CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payments. The Governor also proposes to utilize all of the $900 million Safety Net Reserve, intended to support CalWORKS and MediCal caseloads during difficult budget years. We are calling on the Governor to increase cash assistance to meet the true need among participants, without tapping the entire reserve. 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) / State Supplementary Payment (SSP)

The proposed budget Maintains 9.2% SSP benefit increase (which augments SSI benefits), which took effect on Jan 1, 2024.

Health Care

Happily, the proposed budget maintains funding levels to expand full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility to all income-eligible adults ages 26 to 49 regardless of immigration status on January 1, 2024. We are very pleased that the Governor kept his commitment to expanding health care access to all immigrants. For more information, see the California Immigrant Policy Center’s budget statement.

Justice-Involved Individuals

The proposed budget also funds the Cal-AIM Justice Involved Individuals initiatives that seek to address poor health outcomes among justice-involved individuals. According to DHCS, “at least 80 percent of justice-involved individuals are eligible for Medi-Cal. CalAIM has the potential to make a significant difference in the health of this population.” Nourish California and our Thriving Transitions coalition partners are calling on state leaders to go further to connect justice-involved individuals with food and nutrition resources like CalFresh.

Take Action: Join the Thriving Transitions Campaign to support justice-impacted  Californians accessing food, housing, employment, and other support immediately upon and after release. 

What’s Next?

The Legislature has begun holding budget hearings to discuss the Governor’s January budget proposal and to begin crafting the Budget Act of 2024. Negotiations between the Legislature and the Administration will help craft the Governor’s May Revision of his budget proposal. The Legislature has until June 15 to pass a budget bill. The Governor then faces a July 1 deadline to sign and enact the final budget.

The state budget reflects our collective values and priorities. Your advocacy can shape the state budget. Join our campaign actions and stay up to date by visiting our new action center: act.nourishca.org 

For more information, contact Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org 

Nourish California 2024 State Legislative Agenda

Posted on by Jared Call

All Californians deserve access to nutritious food and other basic needs. Our team at Nourish California is working with the state legislature, the Newsom administration, partners, and community members to secure bold actions that tackle the alarming, persistent rates of hunger and hardship across our state. We invite you to review our State Legislative Agenda and join us in our advocacy to ensure everyone in California has enough to eat.

Our 2024 State Legislative Agenda is available in English and Spanish.

Nourish California's Budget Campaigns

Have questions? Contact Jared Call, Director of Policy, at jared@nourishca.org.

Food4All Coalition January Budget Press Statement

Posted on by Jackie Mendelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 10, 2024

CONTACT

Linda Zhang, lzhang@mrss.com, 516-395-5866

Food4All Coalition Commends Gov. Newsom on Upholding Commitment to Expanding Food Access to California’s Older Immigrants, Urges Bolder Action to Achieve an Equitable Food Safety Net

 

Los Angeles – Immigrant rights and anti-hunger advocates commend Governor Newsom for keeping the promise to expand access to food assistance for Californians aged 55 and over, regardless of immigration status, in his proposed 2024-25 state budget plan announced today. Yet, Californians aged 54 and under continue to be unjustly excluded from CalFresh in the budget. We must build on the progress we have made toward equitable access to food for all.

CalFresh is our most powerful anti-hunger program and keeps millions of Californians out of poverty every year, but it leaves many immigrant families and workers behind. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) estimated that up to 780,000 low-income Californians were shut out of accessing critical food assistance due solely to their immigration status in 2023.* These exclusions contribute to painfully high rates of hunger, which have serious consequences for health, financial security, and children’s long-term success. Nearly half (45 percent) of undocumented Californians and two out of every three (64 percent) undocumented children are affected by food insecurity. No matter where they are born, everyone who calls California home should have access to the food they need and want.

The Governor and the Legislature must advance an equitable, community-centered budget that ensures no Californian experiences hunger. The Food4All coalition is committed to working with its legislative champions, the Legislature, and the Governor’s office to ensure that all Californians, regardless of age or immigration status, have timely access to the food they need. No exceptions, no exclusions, no delays. 

In response to Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget plan today, the below members of the Food4All coalition issued the following statements:

Betzabel Estudillo, Director of Engagement at Nourish California:

“Immigrant communities in California are struggling to make ends meet. This economic hardship is heightened when they worry about their next meal or how to pay for rent or other basic necessities. Governor Newsom's proposed budget plan missed the mark to guarantee access to food as a basic human right. When we prioritize investing in an equitable safety net, all Californians benefit from having critical support systems in place. Nourish California urges Governor Newsom to fully fund a robust expansion of food assistance so everyone in our state can thrive.”

Benyamin Chao, Health & Public Benefits Policy Manager at California Immigrant Policy Center:

“When countless Californians, especially low-income immigrants, are finding it difficult to put enough food on the table, we need to prioritize our resources to meet that need. We call on Gov. Newsom to do everything he can to address this fundamental issue of food insecurity before it causes further damage to immigrant families and workers across the state. We can build long-term prosperity for all Californians by ending policies that exclude immigrants, based on their immigration status, from our food safety net.

Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger):

“Ensuring food security isn’t just about sustenance; it’s about empowering every individual with the fundamental right to nourishment, health, and the opportunity for a thriving future. That is what the American dream is all about. Food insecurity destabilizes families, communities, and countries, while undercutting opportunities to thrive in a healthy environment that sets up every child for success in the future.”

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles):

“During a time when so many low-income households are struggling to afford to put food on the table, we as state leaders have an obligation to uplift and support all Californians. I hope we can achieve a full investment in Food4All. In the fourth largest economy in the world, no one should go hungry regardless of their immigration status. I remain committed to fighting for the Food4All proposal this year.”

Jesus Martinez, Ph.D., Executive Director of Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collective (CVIIC): 

“Despite its overall prosperity, California is a state with great socio-economic inequality. In recent years we have witnessed high inflation rates that have increased food insecurity for low income Californians, including those residing in Central Valley communities where unemployment and poverty rates have been higher than the national averages. Investment by the State of California in the Food4All program is needed to help address the needs of our most vulnerable community members and enable adults and children to thrive in the Golden State.”

Stacia Levenfeld, CEO, California Association of Food Banks:

"At a time when food insecurity remains as high as the pandemic’s early months, investments in our safety net must remain a priority. Food banks, while crucial, cannot end hunger alone. Expanding access to the California Food Assistance Program is imperative, ensuring that ALL Californians, regardless of immigration status, can live a life without hunger.”  

 

* These numbers reflect estimates produced by the Legislative Analyst’s Office in February 2023. Updated estimates of the expanded CFAP caseload from the LAO are expected in February 2024.

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The Food4All coalition is a diverse, robust coalition of more than 100 anti-hunger, anti-poverty, immigrant rights and grassroot organizations that are working together to bring an equitable food safety net that does not discriminate based on immigration status.

Founded in 1992 and operating for over a quarter century as California Food Policy Advocates, Nourish California is a nonpartisan, statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We engage in policy advocacy and research at the local, regional, and state levels in California and at the federal level. When our small team isn’t out meeting with communities, partners and policymakers, we can be found in our offices in Oakland, Los Angeles (virtual), and San Diego (virtual).

The California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) is a statewide immigrant rights organization that advocates for policies that protect and advance the rights of immigrants and their families throughout California. CIPC combines legislative and policy advocacy, strategic communications, statewide organizing, and regional coalition capacity building to pursue its mission of advocating for policies that uphold the humanity of immigrants and refugees while advancing racial, social, and economic justice.

You Can’t Beat the Heat Without Safe Drinking Water

Posted on by Jared Call

You Can’t Beat the Heat Without Safe Drinking Water

Published on Aug 21, 2023 in CalFresh

Parched mouths and sweating foreheads are a common sight in California this summer. While many of us are able to run to our taps for a glass of refreshing water, over one million Californians go thirsty because they lack access to safe drinking water. These drinking water problems disproportionately affect Latino, rural, and lower-income communities – especially in the Central Valley, which was hit by multiple heatwaves with temperatures approaching 110 degrees last month.

Many communities who lack access to safe drinking water live in areas with more concrete and less green space, where they are subject to the “urban heat island effect”. This effect occurs when dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other man-made surfaces absorb and retain heat. Climate Central reports that around 41 million people live in areas where temperatures are at least 8 degrees warmer than their more shaded surroundings. NPR found that extreme heat in the city disproportionately impacts people with low income and people of color. Los Angeles and Oakland display a strong correlation between heat and income, as seen in the interactive map from NPR.

CalFresh provides critical basic nutrition support for millions of Californians with low income, but it assumes that households have safe and reliable tap water. Families with low income are forced to use their limited grocery budget to buy both water and food, which puts them at higher risk for food insecurity. Recent research showed that adults who avoided tap water were 21 percent more likely to also be food insecure.

To address the need for safe and reliable tap water, the state has authorized the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water pilot, which helps cover the extra cost of buying bottled water that these families face. This pilot launched in March 2022 and provides $50 per month in supplemental CalFresh benefits to about4,000 households in select Kern County zip codes where residents lack access to safe drinking water.

“Getting $50 additional for water would absolutely be helpful.  It would absolutely be another dinner and, like, it would absolutely bring more food into the house.”

- Participant from English language focus group on the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water pilot

The initial pilot was set to expire in October 2023, but thanks to the Governor and Legislature, next year’s state budget includes funding to extend the pilot through June 2025. This extension will thankfully prevent participating households from seeing another harmful cut to their limited food and water budgets. But while California needs to fix the broken water infrastructure that has allowed so many people to go without safe drinking water, many more impoverished families cannot afford to wait for long-term solutions. California must continue to invest in the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water pilot and expand the pilot to include more counties and families that are struggling to afford food and don’t have access to safe drinking water.

Have questions? Contact Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org.

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Final State Budget Invests in Nutrition Safety Net, but More is Needed

Posted on by Jared Call

This week, the Legislature passed a series of budget bills that collectively represent the 2023-24 State Budget. Though certain adjustments may still be made to allocations later in the legislative session, the budget deal struck between the Administration and Legislature preserves funding levels and support for most major safety net programs. We extend our thanks to the Governor and state budget leaders, Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, Senate Budget Committee Chair Nancy Skinner, outgoing Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, and Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting for their strong commitment to strengthening the safety net and working to reduce poverty and hunger in the Golden State.

We are very pleased that major cuts were avoided, but the final budget still falls short of the transformative investments needed to address the level of hunger and inequity faced by Californians with low and moderate income. Especially in such times of economic downturn, it is vital that the state continue to invest in programs and services that foster equity and make California a state for ALL. 

Given the unprecedented hunger crisis that millions of Californians are still facing, state leaders must continue to prioritize bold, equity-centered investments in essential services and the long-term nutrition safety net.  We look forward to working with the Legislature and the Newsom administration throughout the remainder of the session and next year to secure much-needed investments that will help struggling families, older adults, people with disabilities, immigrants, and all Californians afford the foods they need.

Below is a summary of the Governor’s budget proposals with respect to food and nutrition.

Food and Nutrition 

Food4All/CFAP Expansion

The 2023-24 Budget does not include new investments to expand the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for Californians ages 54 and under, regardless of immigration status. However, it does finalize the  implementation timeline for this historic expansion. Food benefits are anticipated to be available to those age 55 and over, regardless of immigration status, beginning October 2025 instead of January 2027 as proposed in the Governor’s January budget. Nourish California, the California Immigrant Policy Center, and the Food4All Coalition thank the Administration and Legislature for prioritizing the timely expansion of CFAP eligibility for those 55 and over, and look forward to working together to ensure access to CFAP food benefits for Californians of ALL ages, regardless of immigration status.  

Take Action: Join the Food4All Campaign to expand CFAP to income-eligible Californians of all ages, regardless of immigration status. No exceptions. No exclusions. No delays.

CalFresh

Nourish California and our anti-hunger partners thank the Governor and Legislature for making crucial one-time investments to help address the CalFresh benefits cliff and the elevated level of hunger Califorians are facing. We especially thank Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, Chair of Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services, and Senator Caroline Menjivar, Chair of Budget Subcommittee #3 on Human Services, for being such strong champions of the CalFresh investments in this year’s state budget.

California Fruit & Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Pilot Extension

We are pleased that the 2023-24 Budget includes $9.4 million in one-time funding to extend the Fruit & Vegetable Pilot through 2026. This will allow this innovative pilot to continue providing up to $60/month in supplemental CalFresh benefits to participants shopping at one of the 90 authorized pilot retailers. We thank Assemblymember Arambula and Senator Wiener for their leadership to secure this critical bridge funding.

The implementing trailer bill language also directs the Department of Social Services to prepare a report to the Legislature outlining the feasibility and timeline for expanding the pilot statewide.

CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension

We are also very pleased that the final budget includes funding to continue the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot for at least 12 additional months. This will ensure that the nearly 4,000 households currently receiving a supplemental benefit to help defray the cost of bottled water do not see a second sudden cut to their CalFresh allotments in October. 

We look forward to working with the Administration and Legislature the remainder of the session and next year to extend and expand this vital food and water assistance to more impacted communities in the Central Valley.

CalFresh Minimum Benefit Increase to $50/Month 

Nourish California, California Association of Food Banks, GRACE End Child Poverty CA, and Hunger Action Los Angeles are extremely grateful to the Administration and Legislature for agreeing to fund the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot Program, a $15 million pilot program to raise monthly minimum food benefits to $50 from the current minimum of $23. We especially thank Senator Menjivar for her tireless work to accomplish this major program improvement that will put food on the table while preparing for an eventual statewide expansion.

California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP)

The budget includes $35 million one-time funding to support CNIP, a program that provides a dollar-for-dollar match for CalFresh shoppers purchasing California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets.

Federal Reimbursement of Food Benefit Theft (Skimming & Scamming)

The federal Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023 mandated the federal reimbursement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefit theft. The final budget includes $42.9 million federal financial participation for associated administration and automation activities, as proposed in the May Revision.

Take Action: Join the Campaign to Boost CalFresh Benefits by extending and expanding successful supplemental benefit programs and by raising the minimum benefit to $50 per month.

Other Nutrition Supports

Emergency Food 

The final budget maintains funding for the CalFood program at $60 million one-time, enabling food banks to distribute California-grown foods. We are grateful to the Governor and Legislature for this investment, and urge the state to provide this funding ongoing in order to address the ongoing elevated need across the state. 

School Meals and Summer EBT

The budget includes the additional support for the state’s Universal Free School Meals program as proposed in the Governor’s May Revision. The proposal also reflects investments to help account for rising food and operational costs that may affect the viability of school nutrition programs.

We applaud the Administration for this commitment to health, well being, and learning among all kids in California public schools. We’ll continue to monitor investments in school nutrition as the state budget negotiations continue over the next few weeks. We are also pleased that the implementing language reflects the Governor’s and the Legislature’s commitment  that funding for meal reimbursements will remain secure, sustainable, and sufficient. We also continue to call on state budget leaders to ensure schools have the necessary resources and capacity to reach all students with nutritious, appealing, culturally appropriate meals.

The budget includes $47 million ($23.5 million General Fund) for outreach and automation costs to phase in a new federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program for children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals beginning summer 2024, as proposed in the May Revision.   

Take Action: Join the Campaign to Ensure Healthy Meals for Every Kid, Every Day

Early Care Nutrition

The final budget includes an 8.2% cost-of living adjustment for the Child and Adult Care Food Program.  The budget fails, however, to bring equity to child care nutrition programs by eliminating the state meal reimbursement rate gap that unjustly discriminates against providers feeding younger children in family child care settings.

Take Action: Join the Food with Care Campaign to ensure healthy meals for our youngest learners and full reimbursement for child care providers. 

Safety Net and Income Support 

Check back soon for a summary of the 2023-24 State Budget with respect to the broader social safety net.

What’s Next?

The Department of Finance will soon publish the final budget details on its website. While there may be adjustments to specific allocations later this session, the food and nutrition investments are likely final for this year.

We will take the next few months to assess our progress, identify new challenges and opportunities, and listen to Californians about their experiences meeting their basic needs. All of this will inform our priorities for 2024 and beyond.

We invite you to join us! The state budget reflects our collective values and priorities. Your advocacy can shape the state budget. Join our campaign actions and stay up to date by visiting our website nourishca.org and our Action Center: act.nourishca.org 

For more information, contact Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org.

 

Governor Newsom Fails to Support Hundreds of Thousands of Immigrants Under 55 Who Face Rising Food Insecurity

Posted on by Betzabel Estudillo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2023

 

CONTACT

Courtney Shojinaga, courtney@nourishca.org, 213-204-3614

Ian Moor, ian@nhc-dc.com, 323-303-4372

 

Governor Newsom Fails to Support Hundreds of Thousands of Immigrants Under 55 Who Face Rising Food Insecurity 

Los Angeles  – Immigrant rights and anti-hunger advocates are pleased that, following months of hard advocacy work, Governor Newsom’s 2023-24 state budget plan moves up the implementation date of the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) expansion to California immigrants age 55 and older, regardless of immigration status, to October 2025 from January 2027 as originally proposed.

Despite this win, the 2023-24 state budget fails to provide CFAP benefits to people under the age of 55. California has the world’s fourth largest economy and is home to millions of people affected by food insecurity, including 46 percent of undocumented people under the age of 55 that are struggling with accessing the food they need. This all comes at the heels of Immigrant Heritage Month, as proclaimed by the Governor earlier this month, yet the state budget continues to exclude 580,000 to 670,000 California  immigrants under the age of 55 from accessing critical food assistance.  

The Food4All coalition remains committed to working with Senator Hurtado, Assemblymember Santiago, the Legislature, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), and the Administration to ensure an equitable food safety net that does not discriminate on the basis of immigration status or age. Until all California residents can access food assistance if and when they need it, our institutions will not fully reflect the state’s values of equity and inclusion. 

 

Betzabel Estudillo, Director of Engagement at Nourish California:

“California immigrants continue to face xenophobic policies, structural racism, and unjust exclusion from safety net programs, all of which limit access to the food they need. Without critical food assistance, immigrant families are having to make hard choices between purchasing food or meeting other basic necessities. While we appreciate that the final state budget moves the timeline of the CFAP expansion to those 55 and older, it missed a critical opportunity to address the increasing food insecurity in the state. We commit to continue to advance our Food4All efforts so that no California immigrant goes hungry because of their immigration status.”

Benyamin Chao, Policy Manager at California Immigrant Policy Center: 

“Having enough to eat is necessary to live a healthy life. That is why it is disappointing to see that Governor Newsom is still reluctant to fully invest in Food4All and protect all vulnerable California residents from the worst effects of food insecurity. Thanks to our supporters who have voiced the urgent need for Food4All, California is now accelerating the CFAP expansion for populations ages 55 and over, regardless of immigration status. We have the momentum and now look to our leaders to double down on our progress and end the exclusion of the remaining populations age 54 and below.”

Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger):

“I appreciate the support of the legislature in confronting food insecurity by moving up the start date for the implementation of the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) expansion to California’s undocumented residents age 55 and older, regardless of immigration status, to October 2025. We have a moral responsibility to include further Food4All investments in our budgets, particularly the 0-54 age group that was sadly not included in this year’s budget. California boasts the 4th largest global economy, however, those who contribute so much to our state’s economic success and our food security are disproportionately struggling to access fresh, healthy food. This is inequitable and we must continue to strive to improve food accessibility for all within California.”

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles):

“Too many families are facing impossible choices between paying for food and paying for rent and bills. In the world’s fourth largest economy, no one should go hungry, it is as simple as that. That is why I am pleased to see the additional funding for the California Food Assistance Program so all Californians 55 and older in need can access food, regardless of immigration status. Undocumented essential workers were here for us during the pandemic and kept our state moving, we must be here for them.”

Ahmed Ali, Youth Advisory Council Member at UCSD’s Youth Advisory Council:

“I want to express appreciation to the Governor and the Legislature for moving up the timeline for implementation for the CFAP expansion to income-eligible immigrants age 55 and older. However, I am disappointed that the Budget Act does not include further Food4All investment to expand CFAP to age 0-54 because I see a lot of people who fit that age range struggling everyday to have access to fresh food. It pains me to know that this will unfortunately have to continue.”

Josue Mendez, Student at UCD at UC Student Association:

“I want to thank Governor Newsom for helping out undocumented citizens 55+ by moving up the timeline for the CFAP expansion, but wish he included the expansions of those under 55 like the Assembly and Senate. This age requirement excludes many struggling undocumented people who would have access to these benefits if they were documented. As a 21 year old college student living off campus, it has been difficult to manage grocery costs while attending school. Offering food resources would minimize problems that younger undocumented people face.”

Luz Gallegos, Executive Director at TODEC Legal Center:

“It is our moral responsibility to defend and protect our state’s most vulnerable populations that give their working life to our state’s economy when at times not receiving anything in return. We are grateful for the CFAP expansion for our older immigrants, but we must protect all Californians. If our community is healthy, our state’s economy is healthy.”

 

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The Food4All coalition is a diverse, robust coalition of more than 110 anti-hunger, anti-poverty, immigrant rights and grassroot organizations that are working together to bring an equitable nutrition safety net that does not discriminate based on immigration status. 

Founded in 1992 and operating for over a quarter century as California Food Policy Advocates, Nourish California is a nonpartisan, statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We engage in policy advocacy and research at the local, regional, and state levels in California and at the federal level. When our small team isn’t out meeting with communities, partners and policymakers, we can be found in our offices in Oakland, Los Angeles and San Diego.

The California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) is a statewide immigrant rights organization that advocates for policies that protect and advance the rights of immigrants and their families throughout California. CIPC combines legislative and policy advocacy, strategic communications, statewide organizing, and regional coalition capacity building to pursue its mission of advocating for policies that uphold the humanity of immigrants and refugees while advancing racial, social, and economic justice.

Public Health, Medical and Food Insecurity Experts Urge Immediate Action to Rescue Millions from the “Hunger Cliff”

Posted on by Jared Call

Public Health, Medical and Food Insecurity Experts Urge Immediate Action to Rescue Millions from the “Hunger Cliff”

Published on Jun 26, 2023 in Adults, CalFresh, Child Nutrition, Older Adults, State Legislation

Guest Commentary:

Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Michael Flood, Omer Deen, MD

As experts working on public health and fighting food insecurity, it’s critical to highlight the link between hunger and its associated negative health outcomes and the looming "hunger cliff." Millions of Americans, especially those from low-income and immigrant communities, are at risk of food insecurity. In addition to the end of pandemic-era emergency allotments for CalFresh (known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP), recent changes to Medi-Cal re-enrollment and the end of local protections – such as the eviction moratorium in LA County – will leave low-income residents in the difficult position of making tough decisions between food, health care, and rent.

People who experience food insecurity are at higher risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression. Children who grow up in food-insecure households are at risk of developmental delays, impaired academic performance, and other chronic conditions such as childhood obesity. Annually, food insecurity costs Los Angeles County alone an estimated $2.3 billion in healthcare costs.

As access to nutritious food decreases and healthy food becomes more expensive, people are more likely to cut corners by purchasing calorie-dense, low-nutrient value foods. The pandemic and the ensuing inflationary cycle have only worsened this problem, with more people experiencing financial hardship. As prices have risen, many COVID-19 emergency provisions have expired, reducing the amount of CalFresh benefits accessible to those who need it most.

But there is hope. Our state has taken important steps toward ensuring food security for all Californians. Bills such as SB 600 and SB 245/AB 311 have the potential to provide much-needed support for those who are facing food insecurity.

  • SB 600, the CalFresh Minimum Benefit Adequacy Act of 2023, authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar, aims to provide eligible households with a minimum monthly CalFresh benefit of $50, which will help  ensure that all households have access to a basic level of nutrition support.
  • SB 245/AB 311, the “Food4All” bills, led by Senator Melissa Hurtado and Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, seek to expand eligibility in the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide state-funded nutrition benefits to Californians of all ages who are currently excluded due to their immigration status.
  • A state budget proposal, the CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable Pilot expansion, led by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, would expand a successful pilot program that provides a $60 incentive for fresh fruits and vegetables purchased using CalFresh at participating grocery stores and farmers markets.
  • Lastly, programs already proven effective like CalFresh, which provides food assistance to millions of low-income families, should be adequately funded and accessible to all who need them. A recent report from Nourish California and the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) highlights the need for increased investment in CalFresh and the expansion of the program's outreach efforts to reach more people in need.

The proposed legislative actions and investment in programs like CalFresh are essential steps in addressing this looming crisis. The Governor and Legislature must work together to make the investments needed to sustain these programs.

As a society, we have a responsibility to prioritize the health and well-being of all members, especially the most vulnerable. We can’t afford to ignore the "hunger cliff," and we need to take immediate action to ensure all Californians have access to the basic human right of nutritious food for themselves and their families.

We urge you to reach out to your elected officials to ask them to support these important bills.  You can find your California representative here: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov.  It is our job to come together to support our communities.

Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, is Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Michael Flood is President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Omer Deen, MD, is President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association and is on the Board of Directors for the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists.

Have questions? Contact Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org.

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Take Action! Tell Governor Newsom to Raise the CalFresh Minimum Benefit

Posted on by Jared Call

Take Action! Tell Governor Newsom to Raise the CalFresh Minimum Benefit

Published on Jun 15, 2023 in Adults, CalFresh, Child Nutrition, Older Adults, State Legislation

We are excited to share that the CalFresh Minimum Benefit Increase budget request was included in the joint Legislative budget bills (AB 101 & SB 101) at $30 million to implement a pilot program. Nourish California, California Association of Food Banks, Hunger Action Los Angeles, and GRACE/End Child Poverty California would like to thank Legislative leaders, especially Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, Senate Budget Committee Chair Nancy Skinner, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, and Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting for supporting this urgent proposal.  

We also thank supporters of the budget request for making your voices heard. Your advocacy means we are one step closer to ensuring the state increases CalFresh benefits to help mitigate the harm caused by the CalFresh benefits cliff. Together, we've moved one step closer to ensuring no one who participates in CalFresh receives less than $50 per month in food assistance. Thank you.

We would also applaud Senator Menjivar for her strong leadership on the CalFresh Minimum Benefit Increase, and for her unwavering commitment to improving food access for Californians with low income.

What's next?

Now is the time to take action. Governor Newsom needs to hear from you! 

We need your help to ensure  the final budget approved by the Governor includes funding for the CalFresh Minimum Benefit Increase. Negotiations are happening now — don’t wait, make your voice heard and support increasing CalFresh benefits today.

1) Call and/or Email Governor Newsom

Call and leave a message using the handy script below. Or email the Governor through his office’s online comment portal:

  • Select “Budget May Revision 2023-24” in the dropdown menu.
  • Then “Leave a Comment” then click the “Next” button.
  • Click “Pro” for position, then leave your full message, using the template at the below for the body of your message.
  • Both individuals and organizations are welcome to comment, so please do share this call to action with interested partners, colleagues, friends, and family!

Sample script: 

Hi, my name is _____ and I live in ______. I’m calling to urge Governor Newsom to support the CalFresh Minimum Benefit Increase, which will raise the CalFresh minimum benefit from $23 per month to $50 per month. Please include the CalFresh increase in the final budget. Thank you.

  • Many Californians need more help putting food on the table, We need to raise the CalFresh minimum benefit from $23 per month to $50 per month.
  • Pandemic-era CalFresh benefit boosts expired abruptly in March. Raising the minimum benefit is one way to help mitigate the harm of those drastic cuts.
  • Many older adults and people with disabilities only receive $23 a month in food assistance. The state should raise that to $50.

2) Show your support on social media!

Tweet or post your support and tag Governor Newsom (@CAGovernor).

Sample tweets:

Raising the CalFresh minimum benefit  will ensure no one receives les than $50 CalFresh per month. Plz include in the final #CABudget @CAGovernor

We need to help more Californians afford the foods they need. Plz support raising the CalFresh minimum benefit to $50/mo in the final #CABudget @CAGovernor

DYK many CalFresh recipients only receive $23 per month? That's not enough to afford even the basics. Let’s raise the minimum benefit to $50/month. Plz include in the final  #CABudget @CAGovernor

Thank you for your leadership working to raise the CalFresh minimum benefit @SenatorMenjivar! @CAGovernor, please ensure this urgent proposal is included in the final #CABudget. Californians need help putting food on the table.

Background

More than an estimated five million Californians experienced a devastating cut to their CalFresh benefits when federally funded emergency (pandemic) allotments ended in March. The average CalFresh household lost $163 per month. More than one in 10 households saw their benefits slashed from $281 to $23 per month. Increasing the minimum CalFresh benefit is one way to help mitigate this loss. California can — and should — join the several other states that have already taken this action to help prevent poverty and food insecurity.

Questions? Contact: Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org.

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Take Action! Tell Governor Newsom to Fund the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension

Posted on by Jared Call

Take Action! Tell Governor Newsom to Fund the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension

Published on Jun 12, 2023 in CalFresh, State Legislation

We are excited to share that the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension budget request was included in the joint Legislative budget bills (AB 101 & SB 101) at $3 million one-time funding. Nourish California would like to thank Legislative leaders, Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, Senate Budget Committee Chair Nancy Skinner, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, and Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting for supporting this urgent proposal.  

If funded in the final budget, the Safe Drinking Water Pilot extension will help address the hunger cliff by boosting CalFresh benefits for thousands of households that lack access to safe drinking water. We also want to thank supporters of the budget request for making your voices heard. Your advocacy means we are one step closer to ensuring the state increases investments to boost CalFresh benefits to help alleviate the extra burden faced by CalFresh households who have unsafe tap water. Thank you.

We would also like to thank Assemblymember Arambula and Senator Hurtado for their leadership on the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension, and for their ongoing commitment to improving food access for Californians with low income. We also extend our gratitude to Senate Budget Subcommittee 3 Chair, Caroline Menjivar for prioritizing the pilot extension in the Subcommittee’s 2023-24 budget package. 

What’s next?

Now is the time to take action. Governor Newsom needs to hear from you! 

We need your help to ensure the final budget approved by the Governor includes funding for the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension. Negotiations are happening now — don’t wait, make your voice heard today in support of increasing CalFresh benefits today.

1) Call and/or Email Governor Newsom

Call and leave a message using the handy script below. Or email the Governor through his office’s online comment portal:

  • Link to the online portal: https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/ 
  • Select “Budget May Revision 2023-24” in the dropdown menu. 
  • Then “Leave a Comment” then click the “Next” button.
  • Click “Pro” for position, then leave your full message, using the template at the bottom of this email for the body of your message.
  • Both individuals and organizations are welcome to comment, so please do share this call to action with interested partners, colleagues, friends, and family!

Sample script: 

Hi, my name is _____ and I live in ______. I’m calling to urge Governor Newsom to support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension passed by the Legislature in the final state budget package. This urgent and impactful investment will extend the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot to continue to provide vital food assistance to CalFresh households harmed by the lack of safe drinking water. Please include funding for the pilot extension in the final state budget. Thank you. [Or choose one or more of the following reasons or tell them your own]

No one should go hungry in the great state of California. Food and water are the most essential parts of a full and healthy life. The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will help California families who face the extra challenge of unsafe drinking water. Without action, families will be cut off in October. Please support funding for the extension.

CalFresh benefits were recently cut. Funding the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will help families afford the foods they need. Please support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension in the state budget.

The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will help reduce the harm households are facing due to the CalFresh benefits cut. Please support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension in the state budget.

2) Show your support on social media!

Tweet or post your support and tag Governor Newsom (@CAGovernor).

Sample tweets:

The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot extension will help families better afford the food and safe drinking water they need. It will boost CalFresh benefits immediately without any extra forms or hassle for participants. Thank you for including it in the #CALeg #CalBudget @SenToniAtkins @NancySkinnerCA @Rendon63rd @PhilTing. @CAGovernor Plz support!

Support the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension to address the hunger cliff and help CA families who face the extra challenge of unsafe drinking water. Without action, families will be cut off in October. Thank you for including it in the #CALeg #CalBudget @SenToniAtkins @NancySkinnerCA @Rendon63rd @PhilTing. Plz support! @CAGovernor! 

The CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension will bolster impacted households' food and water budgets immediately and ongoing. The state must use every option to reduce the harm of the CalFresh cuts. TY @SenToniAtkins @NancySkinnerCA @Rendon63rd @PhilTing! Plz support in final #CABudget @CAGovernor!

3) Add your organization to our budget sign-on letter.

Click here to read our coalition budget sign-on letter. To add your organization in support of funding the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot Extension, please email your organization's logo to jared@nourishca.org. Thank you!

Background

More than one million Californians lack access to safe drinking water. Latinx, rural, and under-resourced communities are disproportionately affected. The lack of safe drinking water is a threat to food security.

When households that participate in CalFresh are forced to spend limited grocery dollars to purchase bottled water, they have less to spend on the food they need. Recognizing this dire situation, the state launched the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot in March 2022, providing $50 per month to more than 4,000 households in select zip codes that lack access to safe drinking water.

While long-term solutions are necessary, California communities need access to safe drinking water right now. A one-time allocation in the state budget will keep the existing pilot from sunsetting too soon and will reach additional participants.

Show your support by taking one or more of the actions outlined above TODAY. Thank you for your support and advocacy!

Questions? Contact: Jared Call at jared@nourishca.org.

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