Your diligent work to make sure vulnerable Californians are getting the food they need during this pandemic is greatly appreciated. We are grateful for your perseverance and are here to be both a reliable resource on the quickly evolving policy landscape and a partner in advocacy as we respond to this crisis together. For frequently updated information on California's food security response visit our COVID-19 webpage.

On the Hill

Last Friday President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) into law. The Act was congress's third economic stimulus bill. It included many key investments that will help Californians weather this crisis including stimulus payments, unemployment insurance, and funding for states and localities, but the act falls short of meeting the needs of struggling Californians, particularly the most under resourced. It also fails to ensure that all families, regardless of their immigration status, can access these necessary supports.

The act includes $15.5 billion for SNAP, but this funding will only cover the projected increase in applications and the costs of relief authorized in H.R. 6201, the second stimulus bill passed by congress. We were disappointed to see additional investments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, known as CalFresh in California) not included within the funding package agreed upon by congress. During the last recession, experts said increasing SNAP benefits boosted consumer spending, which the economy and local businesses desperately need. Congress still needs to address the areas where this COVID-19 economic response bill falls short.

Congress is already working working on another plan to address urgent needs in areas like food assistance and other help for people who are struggling to make ends meet. CFPA will keep advocating for additional supports to help ALL Californians put food on the table.

Questions about federal advocacy? Contact Melissa Cannon melissa@cfpa.net

At USDA

Last week the United States Department of Agriculture issued new waivers to support access to nutritious food while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. Many of these new waivers were granted after affected individuals and families shared their stories of what is happening on the ground in their community. CFPA and our anti-hunger allies want to thank everyone who helped communicate the urgent need for action to federal policymakers. Please scroll through our webpost to learn more about the new flexibilities and waivers available to California's federal nutrition program operators to improve food security.  Read more here...


Questions about federal advocacy?  Contact Melissa Cannon melissa@cfpa.net

Here in California

California's state administrators are working hard to ensure a smooth roll out of the administrative flexibilities made available through USDA and following passage of congress's stimulus bills. Check out these webpages for more information about the changes underway in California to provide food relief for young children, school-aged children, and older adults impacted by the pandemic.

The Legislature is adjourned for recess through April 13. There is no clear indication of whether that date will be extended or not. CFPA remains committed to advancing our State Legislative Agenda, and we continue to work with members, staff and partners to prepare ofor advocacy activities and potential hearings once the session resumes.

The COVID-19 public health emergency has served as a stark reminder of the need to ensure access to adequate food resources for all Californians. We will continue to raise the urgent priority of new state investments in the nutrition safety net to our state legislative and budget leaders. Please stay tuned for updates and opportunities to support CFPA's priorities by signing up for our Action Alerts at   https://cfpa.net/subscribe/ .

Questions about state legislative advocacy? Contact Jared Call at jared@cfpa.net

In Your Community

We continue to hear challenges of school meal sites closing or operating with limited hours, urgent need for Pandemic-EBT, long application processing times for SNAP/CalFresh benefits, shortages of infant formula and WIC-eligible food on store shleves, and concerns for participants safety given limitations in online ordering for SNAP/CalFresh and WIC. We are working with legislators, administrators, fellow advocates, and community partners to address these issues and others.  Please continue to share challenges and potential solutions with us so we can elevate them and advocate alongside you. If your community is experiencing pressing needs/challenges/concerns please reach out . We are in this with you.

COVID-19 needs/challenges/concerns? Contact Tia Shimada tia@cfpa.net
The passage of H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, made a number of the new resources available to help prevent hunger and although the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, known as H.R. 748, included many additional investments that will help Californians weather this crisis, gaps to food and economic relief remain. 

Call or email your Senators and Representatives at (202) 224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard) and urge them to take action. Share your community's needs and the challenges you are seeing on the ground. Urge them to increase vital food assistance:

  • Increase the SNAP/CalFresh maximum benefit for households; 
  • Increase the minimum monthly SNAP/CalFresh benefit from $16 to $30; 
  • Suspend administrative actions that would eliminate or weaken SNAP/CalFresh benefits. 
Questions about federal advocacy? Contact Melissa Cannon at melissa@cfpa.net