CalFresh Forum Postponed

Happy 2021 from the Nourish California CalFresh Team. We’ve been thinking about this year’s CalFresh Forum —  our 22nd annual — and how we should proceed given the need to stay safely distanced. We considered holding a virtual Forum, since we’re all used to zooming these days. But [...]

Senator Wiener Introduces SB 107: CalFresh—Simpler for Seniors

Today, Senator Scott Wiener (SD-11) introduced SB 107, which makes two major improvements to improve access to CalFresh, particularly for low-income older adults and people with disabilities. SB 107 would achieve the following: Require the State to provide counties with simplified CalFresh applications for households solely composed of [...]

Nourish California 2021 State Legislative Agenda

Opportunity Everyone in California should have the food they need to thrive. From school closures to widespread layoffs,  the COVID-19 pandemic makes it even harder for many Californians to safely access nutritious food and other basic needs. We need policies that mitigate the scope and scale of harm [...]

What We Heard: The Lives & Experiences of Californians in 2020

In the fall of 2020, Nourish CA engaged Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) to conduct statewide research that would help illustrate the experiences of individuals and families across California, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This brief highlights key findings that research. Read the [...]

How the Departing Trump Administration Could Weaken School Meal Nutrition Rules

The Trump Administration is still in the driver’s seat at the United States Department of Agriculture and pressing forward at full speed to cement policy changes before Biden officially takes office later in January. Among the last-ditch efforts is […]

CalFresh: The Origin Story

A look back on the tenth anniversary of the launch CalFresh: The Origin Story Movie fans might know that Arnold Schwarzenegger gave birth in the movie Junior.  But did you know that he also gave birth to CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? Background After the Food [...]

We are now Nourish California!

Introducing Nourish California We’re excited to share that California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA) has become Nourish California. Here’s what’s new: The name. “Nourish California” conveys our clarified sense of mission, vision, and values. Nourishment requires more than equitable access to food-it requires equitable access to health, safety, social [...]

USDA Approves State Plan to Ease Older Adults’ Access to CalFresh

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) CalFresh Branch submitted a formal request to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to waive the annual periodic report for CalFresh households enrolled under the state's Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP). This important policy change will reduce administrative barriers and improve [...]

Senate Human Services Committee Holds Hearing on Hunger During the Pandemic

On November 17, the Senate Human Services Committee held an Informational Hearing, “Fighting Hunger:  Food Assistance for Vulnerable Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Nourish California applauds the Committee Chair, Senator Hurtado, for convening the hearing  to better inform Committee members, administrators, and the general public about the alarmingly high [...]

Webinar Recording: Policy and Practice Opportunities to Support Children of Immigrants

Tips for Connecting Immigrant Families to Nutrition Resources Our friends at No Kid Hungry put together this info-packed webinar to share policy and practice opportunities for connecting children of immigrants to critical nutrition resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Our presentation highlights the collaborative and intentional effort [...]

State Acts to Improve CalFresh Access for Older Adults

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) CalFresh Branch submitted a formal request to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to waive the annual periodic report for CalFresh households enrolled under the state's Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP). This important policy change will reduce administrative barriers and improve [...]

DC Court Strikes Down USDA’s ABAWD Rule Change

The U.S. District Court for D.C. struck down USDA’s proposed final rule on SNAP/CalFresh time limits from taking effect. For the 700,000 household that were expected to lose SNAP (CalFresh in CA) under the waiver changes, this is very welcome news.

CFPA and Partners Urge Support of HEROES Act – H.R. 1753

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a revised HEROES Act – House Resolution 1753. Our organizations support the HEROES Act and call on the U.S. Senate to pass it and the President to sign it so that the much needed economic relief it offers will reach Americans this [...]

Congress Passes Short Term Funding Bill – Joint Statement from Advocates

Today, the President was presented Continuing Resolution (H.R. 8337) after it was passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and it is pending his signature. H.R. 8337 will deliver much needed nutrition assistance to millions of California students and their families. We applaud [...]

New Survey Data Show Hunger Is a Racial Justice Issue

Summer has come to an end, but both COVID-19 and hunger continue to threaten the lives of Californians, especially Black and Latinx people.

Public Charge Rule In Effect: Help Inform with New Immigrant Health Resource

It’s official, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will apply the 2019 public charge rule to all future and pending green card applications submitted on or after Feb. 24, 2020. This reinstatement follows a September 11 decision in the ongoing litigation against the rule, wherein the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a nationwide injunction imposed in [...]

Take Action! Join Us for a National Call-in Day On Wednesday, September 16th

We need your help with one last big push to secure comprehensive COVID relief. Federal negotiations have stalled, and without congressional action millions of Californians will lose out on the resources they need to weather this crisis.

Senate’s Inadequate “Skinny” Bill Fails On Arrival

Yesterday, Senators voted down leader McConnell’s “skinny” bill. Good riddance! The scaled-back stimulus bill was a far cry from what California needs to weather the COVID crisis.

Thanks to Your Advocacy, Critical School Meal Waivers Extended to the End of 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement today to extend free meals for kids through Dec. 31st is welcome news, but a far cry from what's needed to help vulnerable children and their families as we navigate this pandemic.

Back to School & Into the Unknown

Children across California are heading back to school, but not back to their classrooms as usual. From distance learning to alarming rates of economic hardship, students and their families face a daunting school year. The challenges—and the unknowns—are many.

Trump Administration Fails to Extend Key School Meal Waivers

Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they will not allow schools to continue operating under summer meal program rules this upcoming school year.

Federal Appeals Court Allows Public Charge Implementation in Most States, Including California

Two weeks ago, we shared the good news that a federal court had issued two nationwide injunctions blocking implementation of the Trump administration’s ‘public charge’ rules until the COVID-19 national emergency was over. Due to ongoing litigation, the DHS nationwide injunction is no longer effective nationwide.

P-EBT Update: Submit Appeals by 8/17

Read our latest updates about P-EBT eligibility decisions, the appeals process, how to get help with P-EBT, and actions you can take to make sure P-EBT continues to help children throughout California.

CFPA Applauds Federal Court Order Blocking Public Charge

Yesterday, a federal court issued two nationwide injunctions blocking implementation of the Trump administration’s public charge rules. This ruling prevents immigration officials — within or outside the U.S. — from applying this cruel wealth test to immigrants seeking entry or a change in status until the COVID-19 national [...]

McConnell’s Stimulus Bill Leaves Behind Millions of Struggling Californians

Yesterday, Senate Republicans unveiled a series of proposals that – taken together – fail to meet the needs of millions of Californians who are still reeling from the economic effects of COVID-19.
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