Stepping up to the Food Stamp Challenge in California

It’s very hard to imagine how so many eat on so little money, which is exactly why I decided to take on this challenge. Over the weekend I bought the food I would eat in the upcoming week. I knew I was going to be at work long hours serving on the Budget Conference Committee and working to win the Assembly’s approval of my bills by this week’s deadline to move them to the Senate. Therefore, I had to find food I could prepare quickly and easily in my office without much more than a microwave. When I looked down into my basket which contained all that I would eat for the week— soups, cereals and milk— I have to admit that I was little apprehensive. But at the same time, knowing that so many face these tough decisions every time they visit the grocery store, I was eager to raise awareness about hunger in California.

I am also currently working to raise awareness among my colleagues about the importance of AB 1382, which will be heard in the Assembly on Tuesday, June 5th. This measure would remove California’s requirement that every adult household member must get fingerprinted and photographed in order to qualify for food stamps. Such requirements, which are meant to eliminate fraud, have been made obsolete by sophisticated fraud detection systems including the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that track each transaction.

Eliminating this requirement would encourage better outreach efforts that would make it easier for working families to apply for food stamps, such as online and mail-in applications. California is one of only three states that have this requirement, and we rank dead last in the nation for food stamp participation. Since only 46% of eligible Californians receive food stamps, we lose more than $2 billion in federal funds per year that could be benefiting our local merchants.

I appreciate the support and encouragement I have received from colleagues and friends as I learn for myself if food stamp benefits are enough to eat adequately and nutritiously, while balancing a busy life. I plan to keep a “Food Stamp Challenge” diary on my website that I will be updating throughout the week: www.assembly.ca.gov/leno

Last year I authored AB 2384 to develop a Healthy Food Purchase Pilot Program meant to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables for food stamp recipients in low-income communities. Also, in 2004, I authored AB 1796 meant to overturn a life time ban on food stamps for non-violent, former drug offenders. If you would like more information about my work in combating hunger, please feel free to contact my office here in San Francisco, 415-557-3013, email me directly at Assemblymember.Leno@asm.ca.gov, or visit my website.

Assemblymmeber Mark Leno represents the 13th District, which encompasses the eastern portion of San Francisco. Many bills on food stamps are being voted on by the legislature today and this week.