To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim May 2024 as CalFresh Awareness Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring May 2024 as CalFresh Awareness Month.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
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.
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.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF CalFresh Awareness Month in May 2024
WHEREAS, access to safe, nutritious and culturally acceptable food is a basic human right and is essential to human health; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh food benefits stretch household budgets, enabling recipients to afford nutritious food, including more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate community members about food benefits and the CalFresh application process, and dispel myths about eligibility requirements; and
WHEREAS, income-eligible adults can participate in the CalFresh program, and may apply on behalf of their children, including non-citizen parents who may apply on behalf of their U.S.-born children; and
WHEREAS, 101,294 Contra Costa County residents received CalFresh in December 2023, and 2023 was the first year ever that the total number of CalFresh recipients exceeded 100,000 in a single month; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh benefits contributed $224 million to our economy in the year from April 2023 through March 2024 in Contra Costa County; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh food benefits can be used at most grocery stores, farmers markets, convenience stores, and even select online retailers; and
WHEREAS, all Contra Costa County departments can actively promote and help increase CalFresh participation by including CalFresh information and a link to BenefitsCal.com on their individual websites; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County is one of 34 counties in the state to offer the CalFresh Employment and Training Program, providing training and assistance towards job readiness, job security, work norms, and access to higher education for CalFresh participants; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh participation enhances the health and well-being of eligible families and individuals by providing a means to meet their nutritional needs; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department’s community partners, such as the Food Bank of Contra Costa County and Solano, help promote CalFresh so those who are eligible may utilize this food benefit program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim May 2024 as CalFresh Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, and honors all of the individuals, organizations and agencies working to ensure that all County residents have access to safe, nutritious food.