FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2026
Press Contact: NoKidHungryCA[at]strength.org
No Kid Hungry California Applauds Governor Newsom’s Continued Commitment to Families, Urges Final Budget Action on Child Nutrition Access
Pasadena, Calif. – No Kid Hungry California applauds Governor Newsom’s continued commitment to supporting California children and families in the May Revision, including important investments in universal school meals, CalFresh and nutrition programs, and food banks.
The proposal includes $2.8 million in additional ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund to fully fund the universal school meals program in 2026–27, continuing California’s leadership in ensuring students have access to free school meals. It also includes $3.7 billion, including $1.6 billion General Fund, in total CalFresh and nutrition expenditures, along with $11.6 billion in food benefits provided directly to recipients by the federal government. Additionally, the budget includes $30 million one-time General Fund for food banks in 2026–27, augmenting $8 million ongoing General Fund for this purpose.
These investments come at a critical time, as families across California continue to face high food costs and new federal uncertainty, including potential impacts from H.R. 1 that could affect access to food assistance. As state leaders continue budget negotiations, California has an important opportunity to strengthen access to nutrition programs and ensure eligible children are not left behind.
California has been a national leader in fighting childhood hunger, and we are grateful for the Governor’s continued commitment to children and families,” said Kathy Saile, California Director of No Kid Hungry California. “As the Governor and Legislature work toward a final budget, we urge them to prioritize funding for a single statewide online SUN Bucks application to prevent administrative barriers, and maximize federal nutrition dollars for children during the summer months. Additionally, we urge the Governor and Legislature to include CFAP funding and establish eligibility for refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian immigrants, especially children, who otherwise could go hungry as a result of federal action.”
No Kid Hungry California looks forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to ensure the final 2026–27 State Budget protects and strengthens access to child nutrition programs.
###
About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty. Join us at nokidhungry.org.
Last update: May 15, 2026
