PRESS RELEASE: $2.2 Million in Grants Announced for Statewide School and Community Nutrition Programs

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2023  

Media Contact: Adam Keigwin | akeigwin@actumllc.com |  (916) 256-5758

No Kid Hungry California: $2.2 Million in Grants Announced for Statewide School and Community Nutrition Programs

Through its 2023-24 funding efforts, No Kid Hungry California is set to bolster over 40 school districts and nonprofits, enhancing kitchen facilities and expanding access to healthy meals for children amidst increasing inflation and supply chain challenges.

Sacramento, Calif. — No Kid Hungry California today announced more than $2.2 million in grants this fiscal year to support schools and community organizations across the state, providing healthy meals for kids and helping struggling families put food on the table. A total of 45 school districts and non-profit organizations from every region of the state are receiving funds that directly support their daily programming, kitchen equipment, and food purchases so they can connect more kids with nutritious food throughout the year.

No Kid Hungry California applauds the Governor and Legislature for including $47 million ($23.5 million General Fund) for Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) outreach and automation costs to implement the Summer EBT program for children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals beginning summer 2024. The Summer EBT Program requires the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), as the lead agency, in partnership with the State Department of Education, to maximize participation in the Summer EBT benefit program and to share data for the limited purpose of administering this program, including, but not limited to, identifying eligible students and evaluating program outcomes. 

“We at No Kid Hungry are thrilled to see the historic investment made in California’s school nutrition system in the 2023-24 state budget,” said Kathy Saile, No Kid Hungry California Director. “This commitment from Governor Newsom of over $2 billion, with $600 million specifically allocated for upgrading school kitchen equipment and infrastructure, is a monumental step towards ensuring quality school meals for all students. It’s an acknowledgment that nutrition and education go hand in hand. Our goal has always been to help children access nutritious meals because we understand the positive impact it has on their ability to learn more effectively in the classroom. Through our grants, we’ll be distributing these much-needed funds to schools across the state, bolstering their capacity to prepare and serve wholesome meals. We firmly believe this initiative will lead to healthier, happier, and more focused students, primed for success.”

While the 2023-24 Budget fails to include new investments to expand the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for Californians ages 54 and under, regardless of immigration status, it does finalize the implementation timeline for this historic expansion.

“With the ongoing inflation, many families are experiencing food insecurity and are looking for ways to consistently put food on the table for their children,” said Kathy Saile, No Kid Hungry California Director. “At the same time, supply chain disruptions and staffing shortages are making it more challenging for many school meal programs to operate. We look forward to working with the Governor, the Legislature, and other child hunger advocates to ensure access to CFAP food benefits for Californians of ALL ages, regardless of immigration status.”

Below is a full list of recipients of No Kid Hungry California’s grants this fiscal year: