BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Cal Foods program is facing a huge challenge with a potential $54 million cut in funding. This program helps food distribution sites buy fresh food for those in need.
- Funding could drop from $62.7 million to just $8 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
- This change would impact food banks across all of California, not just in Kern County.
- A decision about this funding will be made by state officials later this year.
In Kern County, local food banks provide nutritious meals for families. But the funding cuts could threaten these crucial services.
Kelly Lowery, the food bank administrator for Cap-K, explains the importance of this funding: “We rely on it to buy food that meets the ongoing needs of our community.” She warns that without it, thousands of families may struggle to find enough food.
Recent data shows that in January 2023, residents in Kern County accessed food distributions over 92,000 times. This number has soared by over 150% in the last two years, and by year’s end, it exceeded a quarter of a million interactions.
Without the Cal Foods funding, food banks may have to rely solely on donations, which can lead to inconsistent and lower-quality food options. “Sometimes we receive certain items one month and completely different ones the next. This makes it hard to provide stable support,” said Lowery.
The Food Bank of Southern California is also concerned about the cuts. Brian Weaver, the organization’s president, mentioned that about 80% of their funding comes from the state. This money pays for food, staff, and operational costs. He anticipates a loss of at least $6 million if the funding is reduced.
Weaver noted the serious impact these cuts could have. “Many families will go to bed hungry. In some LA pantries, we see lines of 500 to 600 people every month,” he said.
Aside from donating to food banks, Lowery encourages community members to reach out to elected officials. “We can advocate for our needs by urging our state assembly members and senators to maintain current funding levels,” she said.
The future of state funding for food banks remains uncertain. More information will be available after state officials make their decision later this year.
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