The Impact of CalFresh Utilization on State and Local Economies
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, California ranks second to last among all states for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP -- known as "CalFresh" in California). The low rate of participation harms state and local economies as well as low-income Californians.
The
Lost Dollars, Empty Plates analysis examines the impact that increased CalFresh participation would have on state, local, and household budgets. The report also describes recent efforts to improve CalFresh participation and identifies priority actions to further this work.
Questions?Please contact Jared Call at 213.482.8200 ext. 201.
CalFresh Forum Resources Now Available
Materials and resources from the 2015 CalFresh Forum are now available. This year the Forum featured three plenary speakers from the public and private sectors, each bringing unique insight into modernized business processes and systems which can be adapted to improve CalFresh participation and customer service.
Attendees heard from USDA SNAP Administrator Jessica Shahin, who provided updates on recent SNAP program developments from a federal perspective, and announced that California has been awarded a $6.4 million performance bonus from FNS for most improved Program Access Index rating for FFY 2014.
California Department of Social Services CalFresh Branch Chief Kim McCoy Wade led an interactive discussion of current and upcoming opportunities to improve and strengthen the CalFresh program statewide.
The annual "Freshy" awards were presented in acknowledgment of individual Californians, as well as organizations, from across the state that have worked diligently in the last year to improve CalFresh.
Forum materials and speaker presentations can be found here. link
