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# Local Food Bank Warns State Funding Cut Could Spike Hunger in Inland Region
- URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/local-food-bank-warns-state-funding-cut-could-spike-hunger-in-inland-region/
- Published: 2026-04-24T11:59:35.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-27T11:59:19.000Z
- Description: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino says a 90% drop in CalFood money would come as federal food aid faces separate rollbacks.
- Author: Gazette Staff
- Tags: community, Nonprofits

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino is calling on state lawmakers to renew the CalFood program before funding lapses, warning that a lapse would strip away the majority of resources the program uses to supply Inland Southern California food banks with locally grown produce and staples.

CalFood has been funded at $60 million annually in recent years, with an additional one-time allocation of $50 million. Without renewal, the program would revert to an $8 million baseline — a reduction of roughly 90%. The program currently serves 6 million Californians per month.

The timing concerns local food bank leaders. Federal legislation and coming changes to CalFresh, California's food stamp program, are expected to reduce benefits for some recipients through 2026 and 2027, adding pressure to food banks already stretched thin.

"CalFood is vital funding, especially at this critical time, as it connects farmers, food banks, and neighbors in need," Interim CEO Joanna Solorio said in a statement. "Other funding has already decreased, and as we brace for upcoming changes with CalFresh, we are likely to see the needs in our area rise as food banks are expected to do more with less," she said.

FARSB has tracked rising demand since the pandemic. The organization served 1.5 million people at the height of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020; by 2025, that number had grown to more than 5 million. Roughly 1 in 5 households in the region currently faces food insecurity, according to the organization.

**More information:* Residents can support the effort in several ways:* [*submit a sign-on letter*](https://act.cafoodbanks.org/component/sbxactions/30?ref=raincrossgazette.com) *in support of CalFood funding before the end of April;* [*donate*](https://www.feedingamericaie.org/donate?ref=raincrossgazette.com) *to help food banks weather the uncertainty;* [*organize a food drive*](https://www.feedingamericaie.org/food-drives?ref=raincrossgazette.com)*; or* [*sign up for a volunteer sorting shift*](https://www.feedingamericaie.org/volunteer?ref=raincrossgazette.com) *at the warehouse. Visit* [*feedingamericaie.org*](http://feedingamericaie.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) *for additional information.*