Last updated June 11, 2025
You may have heard on the news that government funding cuts are impacting the Food Bank – and more cuts to social safety net programs could be on the way. But with so many program names and acronyms involved, it can be tough to get a clear picture of what’s going on.
We wanted to answer some of the questions supporters like you have been asking, and share how these cuts could impact our work and the community we all share.
The window of time to oppose these cuts is closing. The federal budget, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has already passed the House of Representatives and will be voted on by the US Senate this month. The California State Legislature must pass the state budget by June 15.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and network and urge them to take action for our community and our neighbors facing hunger! Then call Congress toll-free at 1-800-708-8229 to help us save CalFresh/SNAP!
Q: What government funding programs are at risk for cuts – and what do they help the Food Bank do?
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) – DISRUPTED
This USDA program helps us provide nutritious food to our neighbors in need through our direct distributions and our network partners. Already, 11 truckloads of food have been canceled.
- Local Food Purchase Agreement (LFPA) — CANCELED
This federal program helped us purchase fresh produce from California farmers for our Farm 2 Kids program, supporting small farms and childhood nutrition. Federal funding has been canceled.
- Emergency Food and Shelter Program – CANCELED
These federal grant funds supported our nonprofit agency partners, as well as Food Bank programs that meet the nutritional needs of children and seniors. These funds have been canceled.
- CalFood – AT RISK IN STATE BUDGET
This state program helps us purchase food from farmers and producers in California. The Governor’s May Revision budget would cut this program by more than $50 million, a nearly 90% cut. California legislators have proposed a budget that would fully fund CalFood, but line items in the bill could still be vetoed by the Governor.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) – AT RISK IN FEDERAL BUDGET
This federal program provides boxes of shelf-stable goods to seniors. It has been targeted for cancellation.
- Community Development Block Grant – AT RISK IN FEDERAL BUDGET
This grant funding provides fresh produce at high-need Senior Food program sites in Contra Costa County, and supports the Kids Nutrition on Weekends program. It has been targeted for cancellation.
Q: I’ve heard the government is planning to cut Medicaid and CalFresh (SNAP). How will that affect hunger?
On May 22, the House of Representatives passed a budget bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that includes a nearly $300 billion cut to CalFresh (also known as SNAP) and deep cuts to Medicaid. The Senate must now pass its own version of the bill – and could do so early this month.
If these cuts go through…
- 9.5 billion meals will be taken off the table for families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and children.
- Millions of people will lose some or all of their CalFresh/SNAP benefits, including at least 2 million children.
- Nearly 11 million people would lose access to healthcare.
- Plans to shift CalFresh/SNAP costs to states could add over $1 billion in costs to California’s already-strained budget.
- Thousands of jobs will be lost in the grocery and agricultural sectors, as neighbors are forced to shift or reduce their grocery-buying to make ends meet.
In addition to CalFresh/SNAP and Medicaid, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is also at risk for cuts. The federal government has proposed eliminating a benefit used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for kids under five, as well as pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding moms.
Q: What does this mean for The Food Bank?
Many neighbors never visit their local food bank, because programs like Medicaid, WIC, and CalFresh allow them to stretch their budget.
Without these options, more people will need to turn to the Food Bank and our partners in order to feed their loved ones and themselves. If our funding for food banks is also cut, we may have to make difficult choices to ensure that we are still able to provide food to all who need it. And support from caring individuals like you will become more critical than ever.
Q: How can I help?
We need to rally our community together to take action and tell Congress we oppose these cuts! Change is possible – the budget bill only passed the House by a single vote.
Here are three ways you can take action:
- Call Congress and urge your legislators to protect SNAP and Medicaid: Call toll-free at 1-800-708-8229 to be connected to your representatives.
- Spread the word. Our community needs to know what’s at stake. Share this blog on social media, talk to your family and friends, and urge others to take action with you today.
