Media Advisory: House Agriculture Committee Listening Session in Salinas this Thursday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Media Contact:
Daniela Ogden, daniela@cafoodbanks.org
Cell phone (646) 756-9887

Food Bankers Advocate for the Hungry at Farm Bill Listening Session
CAFB attends House Agriculture Committee Listening Session in Salinas this Thursday

Salinas – The national Farm Bill listening tour makes a stop in Salinas at Hartnell Community College on Thursday, August 10 from 9:30 – 11:00 am and California Association of Food Banks, the statewide representative of California food banks, is providing testimony on the importance of nutrition programs in the bill. The primary focus of their testimony is supporting the preservation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as CalFresh in California.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has proposed to end SNAP by converting it into a block grant (fixed amount of funding) to states. Major consequences would include eligibility and benefits cuts and an inability for the program to respond to periods of increased need.

“We’re hoping to give Committee members a real picture of how successful SNAP is in California,” said Rachel Tucker, senior policy associate with California Association of Food Banks. “While food banks provide an incredible service to their communities, we are unable to absorb the fallout that would occur if SNAP’s program structure changes or benefits were cut in the Farm Bill.”

Hunger and lack of nutrition pose a significant threat to California’s future. For the 4.5 million Californians struggling with food insecurity, hard choices must be made between buying food and meeting such basic needs as housing, medicine, transportation, or childcare. When their resources are depleted, struggling families must turn to programs like CalFresh to keep their families fed.

The Farm Bill originated in 1933 as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation as a way to support farmers, ensure people have access to well-priced food and protect natural resources. It now has a critical role in America’s food system; supporting everything from nutrition to local economies and health.

The bill has a five-year cycle. After the current bill expires, it goes through proposed revisions which then get debated and passed in Congress before being signed into law by the President.

WHAT: U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Listening Session
WHEN: Thursday, August 10, 2017 9:30 – 11:00 am
WHERE: Hartnell Community College, Steinbeck Hall, 411 Central Ave. Salinas CA 93901
WHO: Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Congressman Jim Costa, California Association of Food Banks, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, The Food Bank for Monterrey County, and Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz

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.

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