CAFB Statement on Passing of House Farm Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Daniela Ogden, (510) 350-9919

Statement from Sue Sigler, Executive Director of California Association of Food Banks

Oakland – “The U.S. House of Representatives today passed its version of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2) that if enacted into law would undermine our nation’s most successful anti-hunger program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The intent to slash nearly $19 billion will take away food assistance from two million struggling Americans. These sweeping measures will punish millions of California’s most vulnerable residents including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families already dealing with unsustainable housing costs.

It is unconscionable that members of the California delegation voted for this legislation when their communities are among the nation’s most impoverished and our state has the highest percentage of people living below the poverty line. California food banks already serve five million needy people, and are experiencing record demand due to an uneven economic recovery, destructive fire season, and the high cost of living in our state. There is no way that private charity alone could make up $19 billion in cuts to our nutrition safety net.

The House is ignoring what millions of people across the country know to be true: protecting and strengthening SNAP — not cutting it — is the right way forward. That’s why the Senate has drafted a better approach: a bipartisan farm bill that does not take away food assistance from vulnerable households.

It’s now up to the Senate to do better for California. We urge Senators Feinstein and Harris to support the Senate Farm Bill and reject any harmful amendments that would incorporate provisions from the House bill or make other changes that would take away food assistance from people who are struggling.”

About California Association of Food Banks

California Association of Food Banks partners with 41 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.

##