A program helping low-income California families buy fruits and vegetables at farmers markets may be on the chopping block as state budget negotiations come down to the wire. Organizations fighting hunger in the state are asking for $35 million to fund the Market Match program, which is part of the California Nutrition Incentives Program. Minni Forman, food and farming program director at the Ecology Center, oversees Market Match statewide. .
Most Illinois residents will soon be paying the one-percent state sales tax on their groceries again. Governor JB Pritzker s temporary tax relief is set to expire July 1 following a one-year suspension. It covered what the state refers to as "low-rate" grocery items, not the "high-rate" foods and beverages taxed at the full 6.25%. .
Record-high demand has prompted the Ohio Association of Food Banks to request additional funding in the biennial budget to increase the capacity of food-purchasing programs. Last year the state s food banks distributed more than 242 million pounds of food and grocery items to residents in need. Joree Novotony, chief of staff for the Ohio Association of Food Banks, said the funding increase would help alleviate the strain on families forced to make tough choices. .
A rally was held in Salem Thursday to urge passage of a bill to provide food assistance to Oregonians regardless of their immigration status. Senate Bill 610, known as Food for All Oregonians, would ensure people who are undocumented and excluded from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receive food aid in the state. Morgan Dewey, spokesperson for the Oregon Food Bank, described the event. .