To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim May 2026 as CalFresh Awareness Month in Contra Costa County.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring May 2026 as CalFresh Awareness Month in Contra Costa County as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
CalFresh Awareness Month started in May of 2011 and is the official month dedicated to increasing public awareness of CalFresh (known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP). California, 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 residents do not know they may be eligible to receive benefits. CalFresh money is loaded to easy-to-use EBT cards each month and can be used in grocery stores, at farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and online to purchase food.
In Contra Costa County, 144,236 individual residents received CalFresh in 2025 and CalFresh benefits contributed $274,139,766 to the economy.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No formal recognition of CalFresh Awareness Month in Contra Costa County.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (2) “Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”; (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
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 proclaiming May 2026 as CalFresh Awareness Month
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, enhancing the wellbeing of families and individuals; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate community members about food benefits and the CalFresh application process, and to dispel myths about eligibility requirements; and
WHEREAS, income-eligible adults can participate in the CalFresh program, and may apply on behalf of their children; and
WHEREAS, in Contra Costa County, 144,236 individual residents received CalFresh in 2025; and
WHEREAS, in Contra Costa County, CalFresh benefits contributed $274.1 million to our economy in 2025; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh food benefits can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets, convenience stores, and even select online retailers; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County is one of 35 counties in the state offering 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
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim May 2026 as CalFresh Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, and honors individuals, organizations and agencies working to ensure that all County residents have access to safe, nutritious food.