A nutrition program California should stop starving now
June 3, 2016 Roots of ChangeLast year, California passed a modest bill that should have been a no-brainer. The California Nutrition Incentives Act set up a program to discount fruits and vegetables for CalFresh shoppers at farmers markets and farm stands.
Like the wholesome produce it was aimed at, the new program had ridiculous upsides: Healthier food for low-income families. More business for small farmers. Rural jobs. Matching federal dollars. An established pilot with a solid, years-long track record tied neatly to California’s version of food stamps.
All that remained was a little state money to attract matching funds authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill when, at the last minute – in a fit of fiscal restraint or low blood sugar, we aren’t sure which – state lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown blanked the appropriation.
CalFresh, California Legislation, California Nutrition Incentive Act, EBT, Ecology Center, farm bill, farmers makets, Governor Brown, matching federal dollars, nutrition incentives, Roots of Change