Historic first bill by Fil-Am assemblywoman broadens food assistance program

Historic first bill by Fil-Am assemblywoman broadens food assistance program

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 553 (AB 553), a groundbreaking legislation that will expand food access for low-income families, particularly those disproportionately affected by hunger, such as Filipino Americans. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Jessica Caloza (D-Los Angeles), removes bureaucratic obstacles that have prevented millions of Californians from accessing a broader range of food options, including hot and prepared foods[1].

CalFresh, known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), serves as California's primary defense against hunger. It is a public-private partnership that boosts the purchasing power of low-income households[2]. The expansion of CalFresh benefits under AB 553 means that recipients will no longer need to wait for federal approvals to access hot and prepared foods, making nutritious and affordable prepared food more readily available, especially during emergencies like wildfires and floods[3][5].

Filipino Americans in California experience high levels of food insecurity, with a 2023 study finding that 40% of Filipino adults faced food insecurity, the highest among major Asian American groups studied[1]. AB 553 addresses these barriers by enabling the state to provide hot and prepared food without waiting for federal approvals, which is particularly crucial during disasters when immediate access to ready-to-eat meals can make a significant difference[1].

The bill also supports dignity and privacy for all Californians in grocery lines and maximizes access to hot meals critical for disaster recovery, benefiting unhoused people, seniors, and those with disabilities who may lack means to cook[1].

The signing of AB 553 comes amid rising food insecurity across the state, with nearly 3 million CalFresh recipients living in deep poverty, earning below 50 percent of the federal poverty level. Restrictions on hot and prepared foods often left individuals without access to meals when they needed them most during crises. Sixty-seven percent of recipient households are led by women[4].

AB 553 introduces greater flexibility in food purchases for vulnerable groups, including elderly, disabled, and unhoused individuals. Previously, CalFresh recipients were prohibited from purchasing hot or prepared meals with their benefits unless a federal waiver was granted. AB 553 eliminates the need for these waivers[4].

CalFresh benefits totaled $12.5 billion in 2024, generating up to $22.4 billion in economic activity. Shimica Gaskins, president and CEO of End Child Poverty California, emphasises the bill's importance for dignity and disaster recovery. Frank Tamborello, executive director of Hunger Action Los Angeles, supports AB 553 for making nutritious, affordable, prepared food accessible to vulnerable groups[4].

Caloza's legislative agenda focuses on economic justice, immigrant advocacy, and community empowerment. She served in the US Department of Education under President Obama, Public Works Commissioner in the City of Los Angeles, and later as Deputy Chief of Staff to California Attorney General Rob Bonta[6]. The signing of AB 553 marks a significant milestone in Caloza's first year as a California State Assembly member.

References:

[1] California Food Policy Advocates. (2023). AB 553: Expanding food access for Californians in need. Retrieved from https://cfpa.net/ab553/

[2] California Department of Social Services. (n.d.). CalFresh. Retrieved from https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/CalFresh

[3] California Legislative Information. (2023). AB 553 (Caloza) Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB553

[4] California Legislative Information. (2023). AB 553 (Caloza) Fiscal Impact Analysis. Retrieved from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysysClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB553

[5] California Food Policy Advocates. (2023). AB 553: Making hot food accessible for CalFresh recipients during emergencies. Retrieved from https://cfpa.net/ab553-making-hot-food-accessible-for-calfresh-recipients-during-emergencies/

[6] California State Assembly. (n.d.). Assemblymember Jessica Caloza. Retrieved from https://a51.asmdc.org/assemblymember/jessica-caloza

1. The groundbreaking legislation, AB 553, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to expand food access for low-income families, particularly those disproportionately affected by hunger, such as Filipino Americans.
2. CalFresh, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will see an expansion under AB 553, making nutritious and affordable prepared food more readily available, especially during emergencies.
3. AB 553 addresses the food insecurity challenges faced by Filipino Americans in California, enabling the state to provide hot and prepared food without federal approvals, which is particularly crucial during disasters.
4. The bill supports dignity and privacy for all Californians in grocery lines, maximizing access to hot meals critical for disaster recovery, benefiting unhoused people, seniors, and those with disabilities.
5. The signing of AB 553 is significant in California, where nearly 3 million CalFresh recipients live in deep poverty and restrictions on hot and prepared foods often left individuals without access to meals when they needed them most during crises.
6. AB 553 introduces greater flexibility in food purchases for vulnerable groups, including elderly, disabled, and unhoused individuals, and eliminates the need for federal waivers for hot or prepared meals.
7. The importance of AB 553 for dignity and disaster recovery has been highlighted by Shimica Gaskins, president and CEO of End Child Poverty California, and Frank Tamborello, executive director of Hunger Action Los Angeles.

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