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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2017
Media Contact:
Daniela Ogden, (510) 350-9919
Oakland — The President’s Budget proposes deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, TEFAP, and several core safety net programs. California Association of Food Banks urges all members of the California Congressional Delegation to oppose cuts to these vital programs that create opportunity and lift millions of Californians out of poverty.
SNAP is the nation’s most important anti-hunger program, helping more than 4 million Californians put food on the table. SNAP benefits target those in need, over half of whom are children living in poverty, in addition to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and others still suffering from the Great Recession. In California, the average SNAP benefit is a mere $1.54 per person per meal. Instead of cuts, improving benefit adequacy is proven to enhance the nutrition and diets of low-income households while reducing food insecurity.
These programs are also foundational to the health of our State’s economy. Any cuts to federal nutrition programs degrade the health of California’s workforce and jeopardize local economic recovery. This is on top of California’s supplemental poverty rate, which is currently the highest in the nation. In 2016, SNAP alone generated $12.7 billion dollars in economic activity that supported at least 71,000 jobs, maintaining healthy economies statewide but especially in our rural communities that grow the foods that feed our country. The President’s budget proposes a 25% cut to SNAP, which would threaten some $3.17 billion in economic activity and 17,500 jobs in California.
As food banks, we know all too well the importance of these programs because 19 out of every 20 emergency meals come from the nutrition safety net. As hard as we work to feed every Californian in need of food, we could never match the reach and efficiency of these programs in our communities. We urge the California Congressional Delegation to oppose any cuts to the nutrition safety net and to support the health and economic vitality of every Californian.
About California Association of Food Banks
California Association of Food Banks partners with 43 food banks and over 6,000 local agencies. Our mission is to end hunger in California, and our vision is a well-nourished and hunger-free California, where all people have enough food to lead a healthy life. Learn more at www.cafoodbanks.org.
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