Assembly Leaders Champion Investments in California’s Food Banks and Expanded Delivery Services

LOS ANGELES - Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas joined Assembly members Patrick Ahrens and Lisa Calderon at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank on Thursday to champion millions of dollars in investments to expand food delivery services and support California's food banks.

This year, the state budget included hundreds of millions for food banks and administering CalFresh, along with new, strategic investments to broaden delivery options by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, and The Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin.

What Assembly Leaders Are Saying

"Assembly Democrats delivered millions of dollars in this year's budget to regional food banks so they can expand food delivery for the communities they serve. This funding gets food where it needs to go: to families, to seniors, and to anyone who has a hard time getting to a food bank on their own."

- Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas

"Food assistance can only make a difference if people can access it. I championed this investment in the state budget because it will help food banks get needed food directly to Californians facing transportation and mobility barriers. I'm proud to support the food banks working every day to meet the needs of our communities."

- Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens

"This program is all about helping our neighbors. It's our collective responsibility to serve-not just in Sacramento, but through investments that make a difference at home. I am so happy to support this partnership to make sure the communities I represent have access to food when they need it the most."

- Assemblymember Lisa Calderon

"For families and individuals with limited or no transportation, getting to a grocery store or food distribution can be a significant barrier to accessing nutritious food. This funding will help us reach more neighbors facing these challenges. We're grateful for the support and partnerships that are strengthening food access across Los Angeles County and throughout California."

- Liz Cervantes, Senior Director of Product Acquisitions and Agency Relations at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

California Fights to Protect Food Access

As President Trump and Congressional Republicans enact deep, heartless cuts and restrictions to food assistance, California is investing to protect essential programs and community organizations.

During last year's federal government shutdown, Trump let food aid become a political pawn, delaying CalFresh benefits for millions of Californians. More than 5.5 million Californians were told their CalFresh benefits wouldn't come in November, 63 percent kids or seniors.

California responded by fast-tracking $80 million in emergency food bank funding and mobilizing the California National Guard and California Volunteers to help get food out the door so kids, seniors, and working families still had a holiday meal on the table.

This month, new federal work rules in Trump's H.R. 1 budget bill are cutting Californians from the food assistance they rely on. About 47,000 Californians a month are expected to lose CalFresh benefits, more than half a million over the next year. Washington is also dumping the cost of running the program onto the states, forcing California to cover 75 percent of administrative costs.

As federal policy puts more pressure on families and food banks, California is taking action to strengthen food assistance, support local food distribution and help ensure Californians can access the food they need.

The state's 2026-27 budget continues that commitment,providing more than $100 million for food banks statewide, alongside $223 million in funding to help counties administer CalFresh and support families navigating new federal requirements. California is also continuing to invest in CalFood, which helps food banks purchase California-grown food.

Today's event marks an important investment in California's fight to protect food access in the face of Washington's cuts.