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Committee advances bill to create Office of Food Security and Affordability
Summary
SB 1025 would create a state Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate programs, reduce duplication and develop a statewide food security strategy; food‑bank and local partners testified the change would support distribution and data coordination.
Sen. Hurtado described SB 1025 as a step to make existing investments in food assistance work better by connecting programs, reducing duplication and improving outreach to communities left behind. She said California invests billions in food assistance and that the office would create a place for data, policy, program administration and community input to come together.
Kelly Lowry of a Kern County hunger‑relief organization testified that her food bank distributes more than 1,500,000 pounds of food monthly and serves tens of thousands of families; she said the charitable food system is influenced by housing, wages and other sectors and that a coordinated state strategy would improve outcomes.
Several statewide organizations and county welfare directors registered support during the public‑comment period. The committee recommended an aye vote and passed the measure to the Economic Development, Growth and Household Impact Committee; final committee roll call showed passage out of Human Services (final 6–1 on the record).
