California Bill To Feed College Students Passed By Lawmakers

NAPA, CA — The state Legislature has passed a bill by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will help low-income college students get access to nutritional food through Cal Fresh. Senate Bill 173 removes barriers to student subsidies under the Cal Fresh program in part by streamlining the application process.

An estimated 50,000 California college students could qualify for Cal Fresh under the legislation.

"My bill will ensure students of modest means don't go hungry by making it easier for them to receive public assistance," Dodd said.

"Food insecurity is a serious problem on California college campuses today and this is an important step to addressing it," said Dodd, whose senate district includes UC Davis and Sonoma State University, along with Cal Maritime and at least four community colleges.

A recent Government Accountability Office report determined one-third of all college students are struggling to afford food and basic nutrition.

Dodd's bill, which was approved unanimously by the state Senate in a vote late Monday after previously passing the state Assembly, now goes to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk for signing.

The California Welfare Directors Association, the County of Yolo, student groups and area food banks support the bill.

"The Cal Fresh rules for students can be extremely limiting, forcing too many struggling college students to go hungry," said Cathy Senderling McDonald, deputy executive director of the County Welfare Directors Association. "County human services agencies hope this bill will help ease participation in the types of work-study programs that enable more students to become, and remain, eligible for this critical nutrition support program."

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—Bay City News Service contributed to this report.