Dear Friend,

California is facing a growing hunger crisis. Everyone is feeling the squeeze of high food prices. Millions are struggling to afford their groceries. As the federal government slashes anti-poverty and healthcare investments, food banks are flooded with unprecedented demand.

During these urgent times, we must double down on our efforts to fight food insecurity. The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project is ready to support families up and down the state, including Santa Clara and Alameda counties. I have fought to protect and expand this program, and I will continue to champion this solution as budget negotiations continue between the Legislature and Governor.

Since launching in 2023, the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot has helped over 90,000 families afford fruits and vegetables. By providing up to $60 in extra food benefits every month, the program gave people access to affordable and nutritious food - which would otherwise be impossible for far too many. Most Americans are finding it harder and harder to afford healthy food. But the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot is a highly efficient and scalable program to improve health and nutrition.

The Republican-led Congress is set to make catastrophic cuts to our social safety nets, putting millions of Californians at risk of hunger. We as a state must strengthen our commitment to helping those who live on the margins by investing in solutions like the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot. As your state Assemblymember, it is my top priority to ensure that everyone can afford fresh and healthy meals.

Sincerely,

Alex Lee
Assemblymember, 24th District