Hunger is a Policy Choice: Proposed Cuts to Social Programs Fuel California’s Food Insecurity Crisis

The California Association of Food Banks brought together food bank leaders to discuss the state of food insecurity, the policy landscape and actions needed to combat hunger

OAKLAND, Calif. (June 18, 2025) – Hunger is often invisible, yet today, food insecurity is at levels that rival the early days of the pandemic when lines for food were seen wrapped around stadiums. As part of its Food ACCESS Speaker Series, the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) brought together leaders from its 41-member food banks to examine data and discuss policy changes that are impacting the supply and demand for food. Combined with state budget deficits, unprecedented proposed federal funding cuts and food bank supply chain disruptions, the need for financial support is imperative, and food banks are calling for action.

“We are on the verge of another hunger crisis here in California — one not caused by a global pandemic, but by the removal of long-standing, critical food supports at both the state and federal levels — and this time we are likely to see hunger reach levels not seen before in recent history,” said Stacia Levenfeld, CEO of CAFB.

Data from California food banks reveals that one in four households with children face food insecurity. Every month, 6 million people rely on food distributions tucked away in the community centers, churches, schools, and food pantries of 5,700 partner organizations. This is consistent with state and national data showing that food insecurity rates have been elevated since 2022. California’s economy relies on lower wage workers in the retail, tourism, food service, agriculture, and other industries that simply do not pay a living wage that keeps up with the rising costs of living.

Both the Senate and House proposed budget reconciliation bills include hundreds of billions in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, (House bill includes $295 billion B cut to SNAP; Senate includes $211 billion cut to SNAP). If approved, California alone would face upwards of a $3 billion cut to this critical food safety-net, which supports more than 5 million Californians. Funding cuts would also affect the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which supports food banks, school meals and SUN Bucks (supporting families during summer months when school meals are unavailable).

“California food banks are already stretched thin, and there is no way that food banks can make up for the amount of food households would lose as a result of these cuts to SNAP,” continued Levenfeld. “We urge Congress to reject these cuts and protect SNAP; a proven program that not only fights hunger, but protects jobs in our communities.”

What’s Needed Now

To build a hunger-free future, advocates are urging policymakers to take bold steps to protect federal nutrition programs like SNAP from proposed cuts in the federal reconciliation process that would increase hunger and burden states.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANKS

Since the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) formed in 1995, it has grown into a powerful network leading the fight against hunger in California with a shared belief that access to food is a fundamental right. California produces more than enough nutritious food to feed everyone in the state. CAFB partners with more than 40 food banks that support 6,000+ community-based organizations, as well as 200+ agricultural partners with a common mission: to end hunger. Through collaborative partnerships. CAFB is a collective force making equitable access to food the standard, not the exception. For more information about CAFB, please visit cafoodbanks.org.

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