Blog

5.23.2014 CalFresh Champion, LA Councilman Fuentes, said we must close the CalFresh utilization gap.

When current Los Angeles City Councilman Felipe Fuentes was in the California State Assembly he authored AB 6, to increase access to and participation in CalFresh.  Today he was joined by LA Councilmen Mitch O’Farrell and Bob Blumenfield to proclaim May as CalFresh Awareness Month in the City of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services along with community partners such as the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Maternal Child Health Access and the LA Food Policy Council recognized the proclamation as a milestone achieved. 

We carry a shared value about CalFresh minimizing experiences related to food insecurity and  generating up to $1.47 billion in economic activity when full CalFresh participation is reached in LA County. In the City of Los Angeles approximately 500,000 residents might be eligible but not participating. The role of city department, offices and council members in highlighting the application portals is critical. The Nutrition for LA Families Coalition will continue to partner with various agencies  to help secure CalFresh as a critical component of community efforts to improve family stability and health.