Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization

Child Nutrition Reauthorization: Updates and Action Steps!

Click here for our latest alert with an update on the reauthorization process as well as a specific call to action: write a letter urging your Congressmembers to find the necessary funding increases to strengthen the child nutrition programs. 

Click here for an updated two-pager laying out priorities for the upcoming reauthorization of the child nutrition programs, including school lunch and breakfast, child care meals, WIC, and summer food.  Congress is scheduled to tackle reauthorization in the coming months.  Be sure to use this tool to advocate with your Congress members.

The 411 on Phone Interviews: CFPA Launches Website on Food Stamp Waiver  

This week, California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA) launched the much anticipated 411 on Phone Interviews in California website. Designed by CFPA, the 411 on Phone Interviews website is a key resource for food stamp administrators, program analysts, and advocates across California implementing the waiver of the face-to-face interview in the Food Stamp Program. 

California counties now have the option of conducting telephone interviews for all households at initial application and recertification in the Food Stamp Program in lieu of the face-to-face interview without notice of hardship. With only one-third of working Californians participating in the program in 2007, this option is an opportunity for counties across the state to reach those working households who are newly eligible for nutrition assistance, increasing their overall purchasing power. The website includes sample documents, frequently asked questions, myths and facts, and county and community resources on phone interview policy. For more information about the phone interviews in California, visit the website at http://www.cfpa.net/PhoneInterviewsCalifornia.html.

New CA-Specific Analysis: Millions Food Insecure, Billions in Lost Food Stamp Benefits

Following on the heels of new national data on food insecurity and hunger, we have two new analyses specifically focused on hunger in California.  Both of these analyses include county-specific information.  One analysis finds that almost three million low-income adults struggle with food insecurity in California and over 10 million people, including children, live in these food-insecure households. 

A companion report, "Lost Dollars, Empty Plates", analyzes California's poor participation in the Food Stamp Program and the billions of federal dollars we are leaving on the table and the billions more we are losing in related economicy activity.

Click here for much more information including county-specific data.

On Friday, November 20th, the Oakland Tribune ran an op-ed by CFPA's Alexis Fernandez on this report.  Click here to read the article.

Register TODAY!  11th Annual Food Stamp Forum, Feb 18, 2010 in Sacramento.

Thirsty? New CFPA Report on Promoting Water Consumption in Schools 

California has taken some good steps forward in getting rid of sugary drinks in schools.  But, we haven't done as good a job of promoting healthy choices, namely water.  Water is an essential nutrient and is (obviously) calorie-free.  Best of all, tap water is free!  Unfortunately, a recent survey found that 40% of schools report having no access to free water in cafeterias.

CFPA has just finished a report highlighting challenges with providing free, clean, and appealing tap water in schools as well as strategies to promote consumption.  Click here to read the report.

Let us know what's going on in your community's school on water access/consumption.  Contact Kumar Chandran, kumar@cfpa.net, 510.433.1122 x129.

USDA Report: Hunger and Food Insecurity at Highest Recorded Levels      

A report released on Monday, November 16th from the US Department of Agriculture found that over 1 in 7 Americans are "food insecure" (almost 15% of the total US population) or struggle to put food on the table.  In addition, almost 6% of Americans experience "very low food security" - the most severe form of food insecurity (what used to be called "hunger".)  The report draws from data collected in December 2008 and therefore reflects the consequences of the economic downturn.  For more on this report, click here.

Strong improvements to the economic and nutritional safety net are necessary to combat hunger and food insecurity.  Such improvements are currently being considered at the federal level with the upcoming Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization.  Click here for more information on how to get involved.  Also, stay tuned for updates from CFPA that highlight our state legislative agenda for 2010.

Taking Pressure Off Counties, Putting Food On Tables: A New                      Opportunity for the Food Stamp Program with Telephone Interviews        

Last week, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) released the All-County Letter providing counties with the option of conducting a telephone interview in lieu of the burdensome face-to-face interview for all households seeking food stamp benefits without the need to document hardship. 

A monumental shift for California—and one that positions the state to join the national movement towards modernization of the Food Stamp Program—this option provides counties with a new method of enrollment into the Food Stamp Program, leading to increase access and participation by working families across the state.   Approved earlier this year by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this comprehensive policy voids previous waivers of the face-to-face interview, which were applied to only a select group of individuals and households.

At California Food Policy Advocates, we are developing resources to support counties and local advocates in promoting this policy option to working families.  Stay tuned!  If you are interested in learning more about how this policy can be implemented in your county, please e-mail Evonne Silva at evonne@cfpa.net.  

CFPA Applauds IOM Report, Urges USDA to Act Quickly                               

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its long-anticipated recommendations to improve meal patterns and nutrient standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.  Click here for links to the report “School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children”, CFPA’s statement about the report, news articles and a copy of testimony CFPA presented to the IOM panel in January 2009.

Second Chance Breakfast Evaluation                                                                   

By serving children when and where they are ready to eat, Second Chance Breakfast (2CB) benefits students and schools.  CFPA's recent evaluation of breakfast programs in the Newark Unified School District shows that 2CB can improve school breakfast participation, support student health, and foster academic achievement all while bolstering a district's fiscal strength. 

The full report of CFPA's evaluation details school site visits, stakeholder interviews, analyses of school meal participation data, and a review of financial records.  The report, which addresses common barriers to Second Chance Breakfast, also includes policy recommendations to improve school breakfast and best practices for 2CB programs.  An executive summary is available here.

Ugh. Governor Vetoes AB 627!                                                                            

Despite your efforts Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill to improve the nutrition of kids in child care.  Read the veto message here. 

Thanks to Your Efforts, the Feds are Forcing the State to Reduce Paperwork for Food Stamps!                                                                               

48 other states use simplified reporting to improve access for clients, reduce administrative demands, and reduce errors.  Over 80 groups and individuals delivered this letter to the feds urging them to end a waiver and get California on a path to simplified reporting.  The response?  The feds heard you and have told the state to get moving! See the letter from USDA here.

Click here to find out more on the upcoming change to Food Stamp eligibility for households with children.  Get the flier here.

Fairy Tales and Fraud                                                                                           

Read this lighthearted one-pager on the Governor's serious finger printing expansion efforts. Call the Governor (916.445.2841) and urge him to accept the Legislature’s plan to save millions to by ending finger imaging for food stamps and to abandon his efforts to fingerprint blind, elderly, and disabled Californians receiving IHSS.

Child Nutrition Reauthorization                                                                         

Click here to check out a memo CFPA recently sent to CA's Congressional delegation about priorities for improving nutrition for low-income children through the federal child nutrition programs.  For more info on reauthorization and action items, click here.

"School's Out... Who Ate" 2009 Summer Food Report.  CFPA's annual report on summer nutrition has just been released.  This year's report highlights the decline of summer school California is witnessing this summer and its impact on nutrition for low-income children.  Click here for more info and a link to the report.