California has the largest Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the nation. Our state’s farmers and ranchers are proud to play a critical role in reducing hunger and improving health. Throughout the month of May, our state is highlighting the importance of providing nutrition assistance to low income households through the CalFresh Program.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is encouraging counties to focus CalFresh Awareness Month activities on alleviating childhood hunger and enrolling eligible families in CalFresh through partnerships with the Women, Infants, and Children program, school meals, First 5, and Medi-Cal.
These partnerships are the critical foundation in developing coordinated plans to connect children to all available nutrition and medical services. CDSS is also encouraging counties to continue to increase overall program participation by supporting public and private partnerships that work together to reduce food insecurity in our state.
Together we can increase the number of families that receive assistance to purchase the food they need and improve the health and wellbeing of children.
For information on agencies in your community that provide CalFresh Outreach application assistance please see the list on the CalFresh Outreach website.
What is CalFresh Awareness Month?
CalFresh Awareness Month started in May of 2011 and is the official month dedicated to increasing public awareness of CalFresh. The state, counties and community based organizations are committed to bringing awareness, dispelling myths and assisting clients with CalFresh applications. The CDSS Chief Deputy Director, Todd Bland, sent out a letter to all of California’s county welfare directors inviting them to participate in celebrating CalFresh Awareness Month. To view the letter, click here.
CalFresh helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing improved access to healthy and nutritious foods. Many are unaware they are eligible to receive benefits. Take the next step and be part of the movement to increase awareness!