[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6640541,"mediaKeyId","2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2","parentId",2555912,"title","Meals on Wheels, senior providers warn state funding cuts would reduce deliveries and services for homebound seniors","audioSeconds",507,"startMs",4205000,"endMs",4712000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2&start=4205&end=4712","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2/thumbnail_4205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6640541/California/Meals-on-Wheels-senior-providers-warn-state-funding-cuts-would-reduce-deliveries-and-services-for-homebound-seniors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640541-1521040cc4a94425c1181bd20f283ff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206959&Signature=BO94hPDHEWSWCrR~irJnA0900S7Ijmh-uoBQiKkWnEAgq0c1UarHeVfaqPJObi6trOVT7oFZ~-8IzR5Eb6~oIUm8SU00uPZza9w12QR1MnHN7pcyQX0a2YeWxRDTv7h4Z-E5LNJQtw4BCIoXnYGAUioBJWMpyUwMm7Hbsl0Dzw2CZ2Fzamb0jnBpC1VWFMSaRdhv9s4J6eMv6Pq-Ke1f-qIWWl1liQL~yCV9QK5qxCRkv5kYwZuA9HQfkmy33MiIpBy-fFe26-MWl3Xxwtsj5q8bqOX-XOQfxSvb1ISRPb5ozTCEWbeoen550Q0Lumx-xeWbHkzn6G~Q05F2QGMshQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Senate","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Leaders from Meals on Wheels and statewide senior-nutrition programs told the Senate Committee on Human Services that state and federal funding have expanded services since the pandemic, but volatility in funding and the possibility of cuts would force reductions in home-delivered meals, culturally tailored menus and local wraparound services for older adults.

Brent Wakefield, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels San Diego County and board president of Meals on Wheels California, described an operation delivering about 700,000 home-delivered meals a year in San Diego County and reaching more than 400,000 wellness contacts annually. He said state investments increased his agency's contract from roughly $100,000 a year to about $1.2 million and that those state funds leverage large amounts of additional local fundraising and in-kind partnerships.

Wakefield said the average subsidized cost to the program in San Diego is about $7 per meal, with an actual delivered-meal cost closer to $14 after navigation and volunteer coordination; Meals on Wheels covers the difference through fundraising and partnerships. He warned that if state allocations were reduced, roughly 810 clients in his county could lose daily meals and that smaller rural programs without reserves would struggle to absorb reimbursement delays.

Why it matters: Senior nutrition programs provide food and a wellness check for homebound seniors; disruptions could affect nutrition, isolation and medical monitoring. Witnesses highlighted the value of culturally appropriate, medically tailored meals and recommended stable state funding and more flexible reimbursement for smaller providers to manage up-front infrastructure purchases.

Ending

Panelists asked the legislature to maintain and grow state senior-nutrition funding, consider upfront infrastructure support for small providers and preserve the volunteer-based delivery models that stretch public dollars.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Human Services Committee","oneSentenceSummary","San Diego Meals on Wheels and statewide senior-nutrition representatives told the committee that state funding expansions have been critical since the pandemic but that funding volatility and federal pauses threaten home-delivered and congregate meals for vulnerable seniors.","taxTitle","California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California","taxId",77650,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6640546,"Students report food insecurity on UC and community college campuses; advocates urge streamlined CalFresh access and campus supports",483,3706000,4189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2&start=3706&end=4189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2/thumbnail_3706000.jpg","/articles/6640546/California/Students-report-food-insecurity-on-UC-and-community-college-campuses-advocates-urge-streamlined-CalFresh-access-and-campus-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640546-bac5d477a23a5b7a706364c90c3a4fc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206959&Signature=jxUXlC9BNL6T39Vf5QyXMlcNtTmFlpJIcMIddopBcdR~WBTynXVbXsaq9hepwJU01kIivtqn00cVWkLa2lAy7TvkDWMxQRVYZXVWv5p4lJRrYrwk~HTRSNUU-xSzkxJ7KmTu6NKojgxGy0AKRzR6wNdwAFzOZDQbI2T0O3ulDQs5FOKMTGkSDtplS0d3acsJwy6hmvGp2uEHwPqAjL0FETO7pcAp6oVYo4IfT9zU0Enw3DFkLlO70F0kHmvb88EI9d7woWX10pj5U3Q6z0rKQk6hbqcwQ-1K5u~FMzLkhEleuVC6ssF3MV0B33jkxlJLd~00Ky5odGiK1puhXf2~tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A student leader and higher-education advocates told the Senate Committee on Human Services that food insecurity is widespread among college students across California and that many students who would benefit from CalFresh do not enroll because of information gaps, administrative complexity or immigration status restrictions.

Yamileth (Camilleth) Maldonado, a fourth-year undergraduate at UC Berkeley and vice chair for government relations at the UC Student Association, described her experience relying on CalFresh to afford groceries while attending school and urged state and campus leaders to expand basic-needs supports. \"CalFresh has played a significant role in my educational journey at UC Berkeley,\" Maldonado said, and she recommended scaling programs like UC Davis's Aggie Fresh systemwide to reach undocumented students and others who do not qualify for federal SNAP.

Why it matters: Witnesses said food insecurity undermines students' academic performance and health. Maldonado cited systemwide surveys showing high rates of food hardship—43% of undergraduates and 35% of graduate students in the UC system reported food insecurity in one survey—and said community colleges and CSUs report even higher rates.

Barriers and recommendations

- Administrative barriers: Maldonado and campus advocates said outreach emails and notices often fail to provide clear instructions and that campus basic-needs centers are under-resourced. Students asked for clearer, centralized online applications, more staff for one-on-one help, and integration between financial-aid/college onboarding processes and benefit screening.

- Targeted programs: Witnesses urged the legislature to support CFAP expansion for undocumented older adults, sustain CalFood purchases to support campus pantry supply, and fund efforts like Aggie Fresh that provide grocery assistance for students who do not qualify for federal benefits.

Ending

Advocates recommended state investments in a single statewide Sunbucks web application, continued CalFood funding at $60,000,000 ongoing, support for AB 79 (student CalFresh outreach) and strengthened campus basic-needs centers to improve outreach and enrollment for students.","UC Student Association and campus advocates told the committee students rely on CalFresh, campus food pantries and basic-needs centers; speakers urged streamlined enrollment, targeted outreach and funding for student-focused programs for undocumented and other ineligible students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6640550,"Market Match and CalFood funding face strain as demand for fresh food incentives grows",0,3464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2&start=3464&end=3464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2/thumbnail_3464000.jpg","/articles/6640550/California/Market-Match-and-CalFood-funding-face-strain-as-demand-for-fresh-food-incentives-grows","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640550-2dc485af2e01682f1551815e6a31f559/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206959&Signature=cRnPD1Yko5dNFnPgAG-bXuVQH3plQpMJo3eLI~qns5iyvVQDaaPZuCt-1-wMuWp99ufOTO0RizqJS9FnM2muQqqNW-Pb0NS5TaxoFg9vfsWOpopxiXBSp1EntK8GGeTd6K0RpDn5rmnZzrzupyWMswakEq0wprOA-6G7Nhxv-5OT9Yvh7H8qdH5BYjV7aieUVNCYFUk4jZbKe9WyqwTXVxDVwXgqc5fRCnO05vu22C1HCh7MsuQQUAQHhhJ1g8ozqKAk1sEKLrieCdNSdKSR1bawnSwtudZe-8DcrlM52cohuyj6HHu02AivFz4pZHSHe1gYWo6SocQXc~g9LR70CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives for farmers-market incentive programs and food banks told the Senate Committee on Human Services that California's nutrition incentive programs—Market Match (CNIP) and the CalFood state purchasing program—have measurable benefits for local farmers and households but face funding and administrative disruptions.

Sam Greenlee, executive director of Alchemist Community Development Cooperative and a CNIP steering-committee member, described Market Match as a \"win-win-win\" program that doubles CalFresh purchasing power at participating farmers markets and draws federal matching dollars. He said Market Match helped generate about $19.4 million in combined spending at farmers markets in 2023 and facilitated an estimated $15.6 million in local economic stimulus in California.

Becky Silva, director of government relations for the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB), told the committee that CalFood enabled the food-bank network to purchase 80 million pounds of food in 2024, representing roughly 37% of the network's food purchasing budget. Silva warned that CalFood funding will drop to $8,000,000 per year at the end of the fiscal year — a roughly 90% reduction from the recent three‑year average of about $60,000,000 annually — and that many food banks would have to cut food amounts, paid staff, or distribution sites if funding is not sustained.

Witnesses also described federal administrative disruptions: CAFB said the Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding was paused and that other federal programs, including the Local Food Purchase Assistance program and parts of The Emergency Food Assistance Program, experienced temporary freezes or funding uncertainty that disrupted operations for small farmers and food banks.

Why it matters: Market Match and CalFood both increase fruit and vegetable purchases and sustain local supply chains. Multiple panelists said higher CalFresh or local incentive benefits lead to healthier purchases and local economic activity, and multiple speakers urged the legislature to secure ongoing state funding for these programs.

Ending

Advocates asked lawmakers to sustain CalFood funding at $60,000,000 ongoing, to stabilize Market Match/CNIP, and to coordinate with federal partners to minimize administrative disruptions that hamper emergency and local purchase programs.","Farmers-market incentive advocates and food-bank representatives told the committee that Market Match (CNIP) and CalFood purchases boost local farm economies and healthy food access, but both programs face funding uncertainty and recent federal administrative freezes disrupted emergency food programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6640555,"State outlines CFAP expansion and pilots; minimum-nutrition pilot set to begin January 2026",560,309000,869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2&start=309&end=869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2/thumbnail_309000.jpg","/articles/6640555/California/State-outlines-CFAP-expansion-and-pilots-minimum-nutrition-pilot-set-to-begin-January-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640555-a5ab911ae863fed4da979c398d8b14f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206959&Signature=Z~EckKosiOK-xirBxKESmiEYgDcpgKrx7-remc56I5F~6OkJq5TOrvLdB4YJgaJyvrwsQxh-5ilEb7awD4NI7BXJmMb97FhewlcMTqSdQikJ30O7qoy1bKPuoUFMhHl0qUm1hXwb3Qk2ZjTfkwBi8g6hZ0YTIcYvlavpxbtB8db1le8-Zt8ioAV-VqHDzBamJAiWx79RkXRmiwqwzgNyXXIXVQw9aMuyjGy6OwNYR81v1Owp7bgcydRIkwMNDeFhSmHQ~z2X4xL2adHfIqrmyv6Ykv0znWF6WRLz9wh~zMXleuilqaWMii7zz3W~6EBvt-0Ni3F7shXl2yhpkZk-jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State officials told the Senate Committee on Human Services they are on track to implement a set of state-funded supplements and pilots that aim to extend food assistance beyond federal CalFresh, while automation work paused and will resume next year to meet a 2027 CFAP expansion effective date.

Alexis Fernandez Garcia, deputy director at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), said the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides state-funded food benefits to noncitizens ineligible for federal CalFresh, was expanded by the 2022 budget and will be further expanded to serve all Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status on Oct. 1, 2027. \"We released general policy guidance in 2023, and we are on track to publish all the remaining guidance, by the end of this year, '25, to meet the automation timeline,\" Fernandez Garcia told the committee.

Pilots described by CDSS

- Fruit and vegetable incentive pilot: Launched February 2023, provides a 1:1 incentive for purchases of qualifying fruits and vegetables up to $60 per household per calendar month at participating retailers and farmers markets. CDSS said $10,000,000 was allocated in the 2024–25 budget act to continue the pilot; the program served an additional 88,765 households and issued over $7,300,000 in incentives before funds were wound down in January 2025 due to rapid uptake. CDSS said 4 farmers markets and 92 retail locations participated.

- Drinking water pilot: Launched March 2022 in select Kern County ZIP codes, provides $50 per month to CalFresh households in areas with unsafe water systems. CDSS reported the pilot serves 673 households, issues roughly $83,000 per month and has about $1,500,000 remaining, which the department expects will sustain the pilot through August 2026.

- Minimum nutrition benefit pilot: Designed to raise the state-funded supplement for a subset of recipients so the total minimum monthly allotment reaches at least $60. The pilot targets households eligible under the Elderly Simplified Application Project—households with only older adults or people with disabilities and no earned income. CDSS expects about 36,000 statewide eligible households; benefit supplements will vary from $1 to $59, with an anticipated most common supplement of about $37 and an average of about $32. The pilot is expected to begin Jan. 1, 2026, and provide up to 12 months of additional benefits.

Automation, outreach and timing

Fernandez Garcia said automation efforts for CFAP and related processes were paused as of June 2025 but will resume in June 2026 to meet the October 2027 implementation date for CFAP expansion. The department said it will publish remaining policy guidance in 2025 and release an outreach RFP for expansion-related outreach contracts.

Committee members asked about sustainment and budget risk. Fernandez Garcia said most pilots described are currently funded and planned to continue except the fruit and vegetable pilot, which had been wound down pending new funding.

Ending

State officials asked the committee for continued engagement during the automation and outreach phase and said they will provide implementation updates. Several committee members urged lawmakers to plan for contingencies if federal nutrition funding is reduced.","CDSS detailed timelines and parameters for the California Food Assistance Program expansion and three state pilots — fruit & vegetable incentive, drinking water benefit and a minimum nutrition benefit for older adults and people with disabilities — and described automation and outreach milestones tied to BenefitsCal and CalSAWS.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6640559,"CalFresh reach climbs to 81% even as food insecurity persists across California",5102,262000,5364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2&start=262&end=5364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2555912-e322960a17c5a52ecd6787961b1a75b2/thumbnail_262000.jpg","/articles/6640559/California/CalFresh-reach-climbs-to-81-even-as-food-insecurity-persists-across-California","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640559-d8012c0f91456d7b13c7d076bda8d06b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206959&Signature=acUghZflhfKSr9F0zXo-YCyUXfEfSsDFF4VuRQQ8tBPp8w2-EbuWZXpJmp2~GIQj5BRTnotQgJJkEwCrPZ84fzCL~PAsOvc7Uj5DDcsYxFtuSV~l0gB6uxMfkydRtQlk9gfdcpbHLWjKOnhF6TIbJR~RDlLfgX4dlgcycPk8hi92VUhjYk~e8C8BwAufur2L6PF87DHGH~A8k19P1Gp08nkgozseFAgi7PA2XrbKUBV9Q~PamYktfoQ8ZswtYSJjW8bj~pdRvHk72vrpoQFSfvrLqYy4~FI7qcaLf8C7GJDZOdRKKT7R6roW~Pz08~0tZIl5cLQvl7ThWpJwNzs02Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","California state and nonprofit witnesses told the Senate Committee on Human Services that participation in CalFresh—the state's SNAP program—has risen sharply but food insecurity remains a persistent problem, and the state is deploying a series of pilots and administrative changes as it watches potential federal funding cuts.

CalFresh participation has increased to an estimated 81% of eligible Californians, up from 67% two years earlier, Alexis Fernandez Garcia, deputy director of the Family Engagement and Empowerment Division at the California Department of Social Services, told the committee. \"CalFresh is largely regarded as one of the most effective tools to combat poverty and food insecurity and routinely reduces food insecurity by 20 to 30%,\" Fernandez Garcia said.

The improvement in reach reflects investments in outreach, technology and administrative options, officials said. Tess Thorman, a researcher at the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), described the underlying scale: \"In California, 1,800,000 households, about 13%, experienced food insecurity at some point in 2023,\" she testified, and other survey measures suggest an elevated prevalence since the pandemic.

Why it matters: CalFresh is the largest anti-hunger safety net in the state and is credited with pulling roughly 1,100,000 Californians out of poverty in 2023, according to state testimony citing PPIC analysis. Committee members pressed state officials on efforts to simplify enrollment and on the new statewide portal BenefitsCal and the planned retirement of GetCalFresh.

Supporting details and debate

- Enrollment and access: Fernandez Garcia said the department launched a single statewide eligibility system (CalSAWS) and the new portal BenefitsCal. She estimated a BenefitsCal application could take \"anywhere between half an hour and 60 minutes depending on how many programs you're applying for,\" while the former CalFresh-only application averaged about 12 minutes. Senators urged the department to reduce application time and explore staged intake to avoid dropoff.

- Disparities: Fernandez Garcia and other witnesses noted remaining participation gaps by language (Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese), age groups, and Asian American subgroups. Thorman said children and households with children remain more likely to experience food insecurity than households without children.

- Role of local partners: County and food bank witnesses described outreach and on-the-ground enrollment help. Monique Meisenheimer, intake program manager for San Joaquin County, described outreach in schools and community centers and said the county provides expedited services when people present in person.

- Federal uncertainty: Multiple witnesses warned that proposed federal SNAP changes would strain the state's safety net. Fernandez Garcia said the department is \"monitoring the situation very carefully\" and is committed to mitigating harm where possible.

Ending

Committee members signaled intent to follow up on enrollment timing, continued outreach to underenrolled communities and contingency planning should federal SNAP funding change. State officials said they will continue partnerships with counties, advocates and community groups while implementing the new eligibility system and benefits portal.","State and independent researchers told the Senate Committee on Human Services that CalFresh participation has increased substantially, but hunger remains elevated and the state is rolling out pilots and automation while monitoring federal threats to SNAP funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Meals on Wheels, senior providers warn state funding cuts would reduce deliveries and services for homebound seniors

Students report food insecurity on UC and community college campuses; advocates urge streamlined CalFresh access and campus supports

Market Match and CalFood funding face strain as demand for fresh food incentives grows

State outlines CFAP expansion and pilots; minimum-nutrition pilot set to begin January 2026

CalFresh reach climbs to 81% even as food insecurity persists across California