The San Francisco City Council meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on the presentation of the 2023 Biennial Food Security and Equity Report. The report, led by Deputy Director of Food Security Paula Jones, aims to address the critical issues of food insecurity and its impact on health equity in the city.

Eric Chan, a food security and equity planner, and Kayla Plank, a health program planner, presented the findings of the report, which was developed in collaboration with various city departments, including the Office of Anti-Racism and Equity and the Center for Data Science. The report was mandated by an ordinance passed in June 2021, which requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to analyze food security and equity in San Francisco.

Key findings from the report highlighted alarming statistics regarding food insecurity in the city. In 2022, 67% of residents living below 200% of the federal poverty level experienced food insecurity, marking the highest rate since 2018. Disparities were evident, with Black and African American residents facing the highest rates of food insecurity among similar income groups. The report also noted that food insecurity is linked to various health issues, including diabetes and hypertension, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals and children.

The report emphasized the need for continued investment in food security programs, revealing that over $200 million was allocated to city-led initiatives in the fiscal year 2022-2023. However, projected budget cuts of $35 million for food-related programs over the next two fiscal years raised concerns about the sustainability of these essential services.

The presentation concluded with a call for urgent action to protect and enhance food security programs, particularly those tailored to communities most affected by food insecurity. The report serves as a crucial tool for informing city policies and resource allocation to combat food insecurity and promote health equity in San Francisco.