FARSB Advocates for CalFood Support

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is looking to its community members to advocate for the upcoming CalFood budget, which asks for a budget of $60 million to maintain and expand our current food system at a time when the cost of living has strained family budgets, raising food insecurity in the Inland Empire (IE) region. They have now until June 15 (when the Legislature has to pass their budget), and so the next couple of weeks are incredibly important.     “CalFood has allowed FARSB to offer more fresh, nutritious food to the families we serve, something that’s often out of reach for those living paycheck to paycheck. Without this support, the cost would have made it nearly impossible for us to do this work at the same magnitude,” said Carolyn Fajardo, CEO of Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino. “Just as importantly, the program uplifts California’s agricultural workers by helping ensure they earn a livable wage, which is a critical part of breaking the cycle of need,” she added.   CalFood is a vital anti-hunger program that millions of California families rely on to put food on the table. It allows food banks to purchase California-grown foods—supporting local farmers and food producers, and ensuring communities have access to nutritious, culturally relevant options. But this critical program is at risk, with over $50 million in annual funding set to expire at the end of June 2025. Without sustained funding, food banks and pantries across the state will be forced to cut back on fresh, nutritious produce at a time when demand is already high. We are joining food banks across California in urging the Governor to include $60 million in ongoing funding for CalFood in the 2025–2026 state budget. What You Can Do: ·         Take 1 minute to use the link below to send an email to the Governor and let him know you support continued investment in CalFood. You can also personalize your message by sharing why this issue matters to you, your family, or your community. https://act.cafoodbanks.org/calfood ·         Share the above link with your friends and family and encourage them to also send an email. ·         Help us bridge the gap to offset funding cuts and shortages by becoming a monthly donor: https://www.feedingamericaie.org/meals-for-many Together, we can ensure that no family has to wonder where their next meal will come from! For more information about FARSB’s hunger-relief programs, please visit: FeedingIE.org/Programs   Photo Credits: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (CAFB for CalFood Graphics)     About Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is leading the fight against hunger in the Inland Empire by providing food access, emergency relief, education, and advocacy to families in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. FARSB opened in 1980 as Survive Food Bank in response to the increasing concern about the dual problems of hunger and food waste in the Inland Empire. Today, FARSB is the primary food source for over 250 local nonprofit organizations, distributing over 3.1 million pounds of food monthly to emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, high-need elementary schools, senior centers, after-school programs, and more. With the help of these community partners, they make up the largest hunger-relief organization serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, ultimately making food security a reality for over one million households every year. Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino proudly holds the 2024 Guide Star Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of transparency achievable through Guide Star. For more information, visit http://www.FeedingIE.org Contact: Rachel Bonilla 951-359-4757 ext.117 (office) rbonilla@feedingamericaie.org (email)   # # #