Celebrating Policy Wins for Ending Hunger

October 16, 2025

At the Food Bank, we believe food is a human right. Recent policy wins at the state level are helping move us closer to a future where everyone in California can count on consistent access to healthy food and a stronger safety net. 

This year, several of the anti-hunger initiatives we supported were signed into law thanks to  Governor Gavin Newsom and the advocacy of our partners across the state. Together, we’re making meaningful progress toward ending hunger in California. 

These accomplishments reflect the tireless efforts of our Policy & Advocacy team, who work alongside lawmakers and community advocates to make sure the voices of those most impacted by hunger are heard — and that policies reflect the real needs of our neighbors. 

We’re especially grateful to our legislative partners, statewide advocates, and members of our Food Policy and Advocacy Community Council (Food PACC), whose lived experience and leadership help guide our work every step of the way. 

During the budget and bill process, we successfully advanced the following initiatives with the governor’s signature: 

  • Food Insecurity Officer (AB 119): Requires the California Department of Social Services to develop new methods for estimating CalFresh and CFAP participation rates and identifying Californians eligible for benefits by 2026. The department will submit a legislative report with policy and budget recommendations to reduce food insecurity and improve enrollment in food and nutrition programs. 
  • CalFood Funding: Secures $60 million for FY 25-26 to sustain the program, plus an additional $20 million to continue providing California-grown food to food banks statewide. 
  • California Nutrition Incentives Program (CNIP): Provides $35 million for FY 25-26 to sustain Market Match, helping families stretch their food budgets while supporting local farmers. Through Market Match, CalFresh users get a dollar-for-dollar match at participating farmers markets. 
  • Food4All: Continues the plan to expand the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for older adults, regardless of immigration status, by October 2027. 
  •  School Meals for All: Adds $90.7 million in FY 25-26 funding for the program and $160 million for kitchen upgrades in schools across the state. 
  • SUN Bucks: Provides $40 million for FY 25-26 to support implementation of this summer nutrition benefit program. 
  • CalFresh Semiannual Reporting Workgroup: Convenes a group including county welfare directors, eligibility workers, the Statewide Automated Welfare System, and client advocates to explore changes that will reduce the reporting burden on CalFresh recipients and streamline the process for counties. 
  • Pupil Nutrition: Ensures continued, adequate funding to strengthen student nutrition programs, including school breakfast and lunch. 
  • College Student Awareness of Public Benefits: improves coordination between county-level higher-education liaisons and college students so more students can access food and other public resources. 

With every win, we’re reminded that ending hunger takes all of us — community members, lawmakers, and neighbors — working together to address the root causes of hunger and ensure everyone has access to the food they need to live healthy, full lives.