Local Organizations Help Bring Awareness To 'CalFresh Awareness Month'

From Alameda County: Alameda County’s educators, long worried about children who aren’t getting the nutrition they need, are getting help for their students and families as part of this year’s “CalFresh Awareness Month.”

Alameda County’s Board of Supervisors has proclaimed May 2017 CalFresh Awareness Month, and the Social Services Agency is leading the County’s efforts to enroll more qualified families by partnering with area schools and clinics.

“One of our highest priorities is to reduce hunger and food insecurity for all children and families living in Alameda County.” said Lori A. Cox, Director of the ACSSA. “Approximately 1 in 3 County children live in food-insecure households and are more likely to experience health issues, such as developmental, behavioral, and mental health problems. So we’re taking CalFresh out to where the children and families are – the schools.”

ACSSA workers will be on hand to help with CalFresh applications at an upcoming event where the public will also be able to see the ACCFB’s mobile pantry in action. Visitors will receive resources such as measuring spoons, recipe books, and tips for healthy, thrifty eating at the event, which will be held May 22 at 37th and East 12th Street, Oakland CA, 94601, across from Ascend Charter School, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ascend School Principal Morgan Alconcher and Oakland Unified School District Director Roseann Torres will join health care professionals in speaking about the nutrition-education connection.

“When CalFresh wins, schools win,” said Torres. “Heathy eating promotes students’ academic achievement. And schools receive additional funding to support low income students and families who participate in the program.”

The County’s month-long calendar of CalFresh awareness events can be accessed at SSA’s CalFresh Awareness Month calendar. California’s CalFresh program is the largest Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the nation. Food assistance programs like CalFresh have been shown to reduce poverty, improve school performance and improve children’s overall health.

Image Courtesy of Alameda County