The month of May was officially proclaimed "CalFresh Awareness Month" by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week. A number of community advocates and organizations, including three UC Cooperative Extension representatives (County Director Keith Nathaniel, Program Coordinator Cynthia Orozco and Nutrition Advisor Brenda Roche Wolford) gathered to mark the occasion.

This is the second year in a row the LA County Department of Public and Social Services (DPSS) spearheaded the effort to increase public awareness of CalFresh (formerly the Food Stamp program). Many eligible residents in LA County, and throughout California, do not take advantage of this valuable program, which helps to improve the nutrition level of low-income households and reduce hunger. Many are not aware that they qualify or are uncomfortable with the social stigma attached to food assistance programs.

Cooperative Extension's UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program in LA County (formerly the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program) is collaborating with DPSS and other community partners to help plan and promote CalFresh awareness activities throughout the month of May. For more information on CalFresh Awareness Month campaign and activities, please visit the county's website.

The UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program provides nutrition education to CalFresh recipients and other low-income families and individuals in LA County. Through this program, CalFresh-eligible participants learn how to stretch their resources and make healthy food choices on a limited budget. Classes are offered free-of-charge at eligible locations. To learn more about the program, please UC Cooperative Extension's Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science website.