United for a Hunger-Free California: Highlights from Capitol Action Day 2025

Earlier this week, the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) hosted our annual Capitol Action Day in Sacramento — a powerful day of advocacy, action, and community. Food bank staff from across the state joined CAFB staff at the Capitol to meet with legislators and push for effective, urgent investments to end hunger in California. This year’s Capitol Action Day brought together 42 staff from 25 food banks, joining forces with our team to hold more than 70 meetings with state legislators and their staff.

These conversations focused on urging legislators to prioritize investing in California’s food banks with $60M for CalFood, and passing anti-hunger bills to strengthen programs like CalFresh, school meals, and SUN Bucks.

These policy priorities reflect the urgent and growing need across California. Here’s the impact of California’s food bank network, by the numbers — in 2024, California’s food banks:

Why CalFood Matters

One of our highest priorities, the CalFood Program, is a lifeline for food banks — and for the Californians they serve. With hunger rising and food costs climbing, ongoing funding of $60 million is essential.

• CalFood dollars allow food banks to purchase California-grown foods, supporting our state’s farms and ensuring culturally appropriate nutrition in diverse communities.
• Food banks rely on CalFood funding to buy high-need, rarely donated items like eggs and produce.
• And the return on investment is undeniable: just a 1% drop in hunger saves California $600 million in healthcare costs.

Honoring Champions

During the day’s events, we also recognized two outstanding legislative champions for their anti-hunger work. Read more about our honorees and their remarks here.

Partnership in Action: Volunteers on the Capitol Lawn

Capitol Action Day also featured a hands-on opportunity to fight hunger. CAFB partnered with Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services to host a produce bagging volunteer event on the Capitol lawn. Around 20 volunteers, including legislators and their staff, rolled up their sleeves to bag fresh citrus. They successfully prepared two pallets of mixed bags of lemons, grapefruit, and oranges — or about 4,000 pounds — that Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services will now distribute directly to families throughout Sacramento County.

Capitol Action Day is a reminder of the power of community, the importance of advocacy, and the urgent need for action. We are deeply grateful to our member food banks, our legislative champions, and everyone who showed up — in meetings, on the lawn, or online — to advocate for a hunger-free California.

Want to help?

Reach out to Governor Gavin Newsom and urge him to support CalFood! Together, we can ensure every Californian has the food and dignity they deserve.