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The 5 Major Battles: How The California Association Of Food Banks Is Fighting The 2025 Hunger Crisis

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The California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) is currently operating at a critical juncture in its history, facing a severe and escalating hunger crisis across the Golden State. As of late 2025, the organization is spearheading a massive, multi-faceted effort to protect the state’s most vulnerable populations from a looming financial and nutritional "cliff," primarily driven by expiring one-time state funding and crucial delays in federal benefits. Over one in five California households are currently grappling with the stress and health consequences of food insecurity, a shocking disparity that affects nearly 9 million Californians—making the CAFB's work more vital than ever before.

This powerful network, representing 42 member food banks and nearly 6,000 partner agencies statewide, is not just distributing food; it is engaging in high-stakes legislative advocacy to secure long-term systemic solutions. The focus for 2025 is clear: stabilize the emergency food system, maximize access to critical safety net programs like CalFresh, and ensure that landmark programs like universal school meals remain fully funded.

The CAFB Network and Its Unprecedented Challenge

The California Association of Food Banks was established in 1997 and has since grown into the leading force against hunger in the state. Its primary role is to unite, support, and advocate on behalf of its member food banks, which serve every county in California, from the densely populated urban centers to the remote rural communities. Today, the collective efforts of the CAFB and its associated charities are serving approximately 1.5 million people, illustrating the sheer scale of the need.

The current crisis is compounded by economic pressures and the expiration of pandemic-era aid. CAFB’s advocacy is centered on influencing the State Legislature and the Administration of Governor Gavin Newsom to prioritize anti-hunger initiatives in the state budget. The organization works closely with local food banks like the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, the Alameda County Community Food Bank, and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano to ensure that policy priorities reflect on-the-ground realities.

The Looming CalFresh "Cliff": A $80 Million State Response

One of the most immediate and critical threats facing low-income Californians is the expected delay in federal CalFresh benefits, which are the state’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This delay, anticipated to begin around November 1, 2025, is a major concern because CalFresh is widely recognized as the most effective tool our country has to address hunger.

The impending disruption in benefits—often referred to as the "CalFresh cliff"—would leave millions of households without their primary source of grocery funding, forcing them to turn to already-strained food banks. In a proactive move, the State of California has fast-tracked a crucial $80 million to support food banks across the state to help manage the anticipated surge in demand during this delay, particularly as the holiday season approaches.

CAFB’s legislative advocacy is focused on ensuring this state-level funding is sufficient and sustained, while simultaneously working on long-term policy solutions to prevent future benefit delays and maximize CalFresh enrollment among eligible populations, including older adults and college students.

5 Critical Battles in CAFB's 2025 State Policy Agenda

The California Association of Food Banks is not merely reacting to crises; it is pursuing a comprehensive 2025 policy agenda aimed at structural change. This agenda centers on five key pillars of advocacy:

  • 1. Securing Long-Term Emergency Food Funding: The most pressing budget priority is transitioning from one-time emergency funding to a stable, ongoing state investment in the emergency food system. Current critical investments are set to run out in the 2025-26 fiscal year, and CAFB is fighting to prevent a catastrophic loss of operational support for its 42 member food banks.
  • 2. Defending 'School Meals for All': California is a national leader with its universal school meals program. The CAFB and its partners are fiercely advocating to maintain the state’s per-meal reimbursement rate. This funding is essential to address rising food costs and ensure that every public school student receives nutritious meals, protecting a vital safety net for children from low-income families.
  • 3. Maximizing CalFresh Enrollment and Access: CAFB is sponsoring several CalFresh-related bills in the 2025 legislative cycle. The goal is to simplify the application process, eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, and expand eligibility to ensure that all eligible Californians, especially those in hard-to-reach communities, can access their benefits.
  • 4. Strengthening Farm-to-Food Bank Programs: A core mission of CAFB is connecting the state’s vast agricultural bounty with those in need. Advocacy efforts include supporting and expanding programs that help farmers donate excess produce, ensuring that food banks receive a consistent supply of fresh, healthy, California-grown fruits and vegetables.
  • 5. Promoting Health Equity Through Nutrition: CAFB is increasingly focusing on the intersection of food insecurity and public health. Recent partnerships, such as the $1.1 million investment from Health Net and the Centene Foundation, highlight the commitment to integrating nutrition education and food access into healthcare systems to improve overall health outcomes and reduce diet-related diseases.

The Role of Partnerships and Topical Authority

The success of the CAFB’s mission relies heavily on a broad coalition of support. Key entities and partnerships that underscore the organization's topical authority and operational reach include:

  • Corporate and Foundation Support: Major investments from organizations like The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation and the Centene Foundation provide essential capital for large-scale distribution and special initiatives.
  • Government Agencies: CAFB works directly with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the State Legislature to shape and implement policy.
  • Local Partner Agencies: The network of nearly 6,000 local food pantries, soup kitchens, and distribution sites are the front-line entities that ensure food reaches families, seniors, and children in every neighborhood.

By focusing on legislative advocacy and systemic change, the California Association of Food Banks is aiming to move beyond temporary relief and build a resilient, equitable food system for the future. The battles fought in the 2025 legislative session will determine the stability of food access for millions of Californians for years to come.

The 5 Major Battles: How The California Association of Food Banks is Fighting the 2025 Hunger Crisis
california association of food banks
california association of food banks

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