CalFresh Improvement Consortium

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

The CalFresh (state equivalent of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)) Improvement Consortium was formed during a roundtable meeting in San Bernardino County on January 11, 2012 between Dennis Stewart, Western Region Director, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, San Bernardino County representatives, and members from over 64 Community-Based and Faith-Based Organizations (CBOs/FBOs). The meeting was held to discuss why a high number of low-income households who are eligible for food assistance through the CalFresh program do not participate and what actions could be taken to make the benefits of the program more accessible to needy households. The CalFresh Improvement Consortium provides information, service and training to local CBOs/FBOs and, by extension, the community, in the form of increased knowledge of and access to this important nutrition/food supplemental program. The collaboration between the County of San Bernardino and local CBOs/FBOs resulted in the development of a successful program with the potential to reach large numbers of individuals/households in our communities. CBO/FBO assisted applications have increased by 50 percent, and the number of participating households has increased by six percent since implementation of this Consortium.