“The Campaign will Continue.” Statement on California budget cut to nutrition incentives

STATEMENT FROM MATTHEW MARSOM, VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND PROGRAMS, AND MICHAEL DIMOCK, PRESIDENT, ROOTS OF CHANGE

“Roots of Change and Public Health Institute are deeply disappointed that despite strong support from across the state, and bi-partisan support in Sacramento, the final 2015-16 California budget agreement negotiated by Governor Brown, Senate Pro Tem DeLeon and Assembly Speaker Atkins failed to include funding for nutrition incentives.

“The modest $2.5 million in General Fund support had been included in the budget passed by the Senate and Assembly Conference Committee. These funds were meant to support AB 1321, the Nutrition Incentive Matching Grant Program bill passed by the Assembly and to be considered by the Senate. Even without funding, if passed AB 1321 will provide the necessary infrastructure to make California competitive as it pursues federal funding to support its families and farms.

“The campaign for nutrition incentives will continue. Our leaders must prioritize the critical need to improve access and affordability of fresh, healthy food for underserved communities. Nutrition incentives work for all of California: Families get more healthy food on the table; farmers and small businesses sell more produce; urban and agricultural communities see economic growth. Everybody wins.

“Roots of Change, PHI and our allies ask for your support as we work to pass AB 1321 so that all Californians can better access healthy, affordable foods.”