CHA News

Our Health California Mobilizes Support for Legislation to Address Food Insecurity

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Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 265, a measure intended to prevent situations where school meal programs pressure students who have fallen behind in paying for their meals — a practice often referred to as “lunch shaming.” Our Health California (OHC), CHA’s online community of Californians with an interest in public health, showed strong support for the law, sending nearly 3,500 emails and more than 480 tweets urging the governor to sign the bill.

OHC took on the issue because hunger and health are deeply connected. For children, not having enough healthy food can have serious consequences for physical and mental health, academic achievement, and future economic prosperity. 

In addition to raising awareness of the harmful impacts of food insecurity, mobilizing around SB 265 allowed Our Health California and CHA to build a broader set of relationships with lawmakers.