Nutrition Action Alert 
February 6, 2017
In This Issue

Last week the State Legislature saw the introduction of two CFPA-sponsored bills that will help California continue to lead the way in fighting hunger and improving nutrition for low-income families. 

Visit CFPA's State Legislative Agenda page to track CFPA-sponsored legislation and other important bills and budget advocacy items we will be tracking throughout this year's legislative session.
AB 164 (Arambula) - California Leads to Meet Food Needs

Assembly Member Dr. Joaquin Arambula (Fresno) has introduced Assembly Bill 164 - California Leads to Meet Food Needs. CFPA is proud to be sponsoring AB 164, which would create a fexible and adaptable framework for California Food Assistance  that could effectively respond to Californians' food needs.

California has long led the nation in innovative policy solutions. We should now lead the fight against hunger. Food assistance, like CalFresh, is one of the most effective tools to reduce poverty, prevent hunger and improve health. 

While CalFresh is primarily a federal program (SNAP), the CalFresh EBT system and state resources have also been utilized to address specific food needs. The California Food Assistance Program for Immigrants (CFAP) successfully responded to 1996 welfare reform that stripped benefits from many lawfully-present immigrant residents. We know how to utilize the CalFresh system to make a real impact in the lives of those struggling to put healthy food on the table.

Now is the time for California to be proactive. AB 164 would enable the State to respond with nutrition assistance in emergencies; to provide supplemental benefits that address health disparities or inequities; or to respond to changes in federal eligibility if needed. For example, AB 164 can provide a pathway for emergency assistance to food-insecure households without safe water, due to failing public water systems.  PDF

California Food Assistance should be flexible and responsive so that we can step up if federal assistance does not fully meet California's needs.

To learn more, visit  CFPA's AB 164 page.

Learn more about budget advocacy for households without safe drinking water.  link

Learn more about CalFresh.  link

Sign-up to receive AB 164 legislative updates.  link

Contact:  Tracey Patterson at 510.433.1122 ext. 101
SB 138 (McGuire) - Count Me In For School Meals

On January 13, Senator Mike McGuire (North Coast) introduced   Senate Bill 138, the "Count Me In for School Meals Act," a bill aimed at addressing child hunger by removing hassles from school meal program enrollment and by serving all students free school meals in very high poverty schools. 

CFPA is proud to sponsor SB 138, and is very excited to be working with Senator McGuire and the bill's co-authors, including Senator Holly Mitchell, to ensure that students throughout California have what they need to succeed.

According to UCLA, over 1.7 million California households with children struggle to put food on the table. SB 138 takes the success of a 14 school district pilot to enroll low-income students who receive Medi-Cal into free school meals statewide. Building upon these pilots, SB 138 would also move to enroll eligible Medi-Cal students into reduced-priced meals as a way to address hunger among the working poor.

In addition, SB 138 calls for very high poverty schools to serve school meals to all students free of charge by using federal options to do so.  Federal provisions, including Community Eligibility and Provision 2, allow schools to maximize federal reimbursements for meals served, while reducing administrative burdens.

SB 138 would help struggling students and struggling schools by making the most out of federal nutrition resources.  Given our state's child poverty rate- the highest in the nation- and the need to ensure that students are nourished and ready to learn, California needs to take action now.

To learn more, visit  CFPA's SB 138 page.

Learn more about Medi-Cal Direct Certification and Universal Meal Provisions.  link

Sign-up to receive SB 138 legislative updates.  link

Contact:  Elyse Homel Vitale at 510.433.1122 ext. 206
CalFresh Forum Resources and Materials Now Available

Materials and resources from the 2017 CalFresh Forum are now available. CFPA would like to thank the event co-sponsor, the California Department of Social Services, and all of this year's speakers, presenters, and attendees for their contributions toward  making the Forum such a success. 

Access speaker presentations and other CalFresh Forum materials and resources. link

View this year's Freshy Award winners. link

Contact:   Jared Call  | 213.482.8200 ext 201
Grants to Expand School Breakfast
Register Now for February 9 Webinar

New funds are now available -- are you prepared to apply? On January 16, 2017, the California Department of Education kicked off the grant application process for new school breakfast funds. These competitive grants are open to all applicants and will prioritize high-poverty schools implementing or expanding after-the-bell breakfast.

Find out how you can access these important grant funds!  Join us for a webinar on February 9, 2017 from 2-3pm. 
  • Learn about key dates and critical steps for the grant application process
  • Get suggestions about writing a successful grant application
  • Hear about the challenges and successes of implementing after-the-bell breakfast with grant funds
  • Have your questions answered by the staff who will review and score the grant applications
The webinar will be hosted by California Food Policy Advocates and will feature:
  • Stephanie Bruce, Nutrition Services Director, Palm Springs Unified School District
  • The California Department of Education - Nutrition Services Division
Read an overview of the grants.  PDF

Contact:  Tia Shimada  | 510.433.1122 ext 109
CFPA 2017 Summer Fellowship Announcement

CFPA is now accepting applications for the summer 2017 Sarah Samuels Public Health Policy fellowship! This opportunity is open to graduate students in public health or public policy. The application deadline is March 3, 2017. Please see the 2017 Fellowship Announcement for details.  PDF

Long-time board member, Sarah Samuels, left an indelible mark on California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA). Sarah was a leader in conducting and applying research to shape sound nutrition policies. She was also a supportive mentor of new public health professionals. To honor these contributions and to continue her work, CFPA has established the Sarah Samuels Public Health Fellowship.

Contact:  Tracey Patterson  | 510.433.1122 ext 101
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