FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2026
Contact:
Courtney Shojinaga, courtney@nourishca.org, 213.204.3614
Lena Brook, lbrook@fullwell.us, 415.644.8019
Governor Newsom Leaves CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program Unfunded In State Budget
Advocates Urge State Leaders to Prioritize Food Access
Sacramento, CA – On May 14, Governor Gavin Newsom released his May Revision of the 2026-27 State Budget, which fails to continue funding for the critical CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program. This program makes healthy food more affordable for low-income Californians, especially needed now as food costs continue to rise and resources to support low-income Californians shrink due to harms stemming from H.R. 1.
With this lack of investment from the Governor, anti-hunger advocates urge the Legislature to include $100M in funding for this popular, efficient and effective program when the FY 2026-27 budget is decided in June. The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program is a documented success in alleviating hunger, supporting health, and boosting California’s agricultural sector. Without renewed funding, the program, which has served more than 325,000 Californians since its inception, will once again pause at the end of June 2026 and cause CalFresh families to lose up to $60/month in additional benefits for fresh fruits and vegetables. Ultimately, pausing the program will make it even harder for individuals and families to buy the food they need at a time of historically high food prices and tight budgets.
The program received $36 million in the 2025-26 state budget, which allowed it to relaunch in time for the holiday season this past November. In April 2026 alone, the program reached 92,000 households, providing nearly $4.85 million in fruit and vegetable supplemental benefits. The expected pause to the program will be especially harmful as cuts resulting from the federal passage of H.R. 1 are already weakening the national food safety net. California must stand strong against harsh federal policies that limit families’ abilities to afford and access food.
After successfully leading the charge to secure funding for the CalFresh and Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program last year, Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Alex Lee are championing a FY 2026-2027 budget request for $100 million. The funds will allow this vital program to continue operating uninterrupted and expand to reach additional CalFresh families in currently unserved parts of our state.
Nourish California and Fullwell, co-sponsors of the budget request to continue this program, urge Governor Newsom to work with the Legislature to commit to reduce hunger and improve health in California.
Senator Scott Wiener:
“At a time when the Trump Administration is putting food benefits in the crosshairs, California needs to stand up for successful nutrition assistance programs like the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetables EBT Program. This program is proven to put nutritious food in the mouths of our most vulnerable. I urge the Legislature to restore this critical funding so California can continue to lead the fight against hunger.”
Assemblymember Alex Lee, Chair of the Human Services Committee:
“The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of families who live paycheck to paycheck. It is highly effective and efficient in expanding access to nutritious food. Investing in this successful program is critical amid catastrophic Republican cuts to our social safety nets. I will keep fighting tirelessly for investments in anti-hunger initiatives like the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program to support our working families.”
Michelle Lee, Policy Advocate at Nourish California:
“Facing attacks by the federal government, state leaders have an opportunity to take a stand and protect the health and well-being of Californians. In his final year as Governor of California, we urge Governor Newsom to set a lasting legacy and protect future Californians from federal threats by investing in successful initiatives like the CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Program. We cannot lose ground in the fight against hunger and fail to provide for the needs of Californians to make up for the funding that the Trump administration has taken away from people across our state. At a time when the federal government wields hunger as a weapon, our Governor and state leaders can build a budget that reflects the investment in the well-being of all Californians.”
Lena Brook, Deputy Director at Fullwell:
“Low-income Californians are facing unprecedented economic challenges, with food and gas prices rising and the federal safety net more constrained than ever. The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program is making a concrete difference in people’s lives by bringing healthy produce within reach for working families. Since this program resumed in November 2025, we’ve seen demand increase every single month. It has proven to be an effective way to fight hunger while also providing economic benefits to the grocery and farming sectors. Come June, we hope that Governor Newsom and our legislative leaders agree it is a wise and worthwhile investment for California.”
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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).
Fullwell is a San Francisco Bay Area-based nonprofit organization that advocates for local, state, and federal food policy that promotes health, justice, and sustainability. We develop policies and programs in California related to the food safety net and public food procurement that have the potential to be replicated across the country.
