Governor Gavin Newsom announced the mobilization of California National Guard members and California Volunteers to support local food banks and said he had fast-tracked about $80 million in state funds to help prepare for increased demand amid delays in federal CalFresh benefits.

Newsom said the move mirrors steps taken during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and that Guard members would assist with food distribution, not law enforcement. The funding, he said, is intended to help food banks handle a projected rise in need and to offset timing problems with federal CalFresh benefits.

The announcement was presented as an executive action by the governor rather than the result of a legislative vote; the transcript did not specify which state agencies will administer the funds, the timeline for distribution, or the exact counties and food banks that will receive aid. The governor described the action as modeled on earlier emergency responses but did not provide additional implementation details in the remarks recorded in the transcript.

CalFresh is the federal nutrition program referenced by the governor; the transcript stated the funds aim to “offset delays in federal CalFresh benefits.” The transcript did not specify the mechanism for offsetting those delays (for example, direct payments, grants to food banks or other temporary assistance), and those details remain not specified.

The mobilization assigns National Guard members to assist with food distribution rather than law enforcement tasks, according to the governor’s remarks. The transcript did not include named quotes or a schedule for when Guard members or California Volunteers will deploy, nor did it specify the state office responsible for coordinating volunteers and Guard personnel.

Officials and community groups that run or receive food-bank services may seek further details from the governor’s office or state emergency management agencies for implementation timelines and distribution plans.