Riverside, CA – Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB), will participate in Cal Fresh Awareness Month activities throughout the month of May including three Cal Fresh Assistance events at their 79,000 square foot warehouse and six additional community sites.

Cal Fresh is a free nutrition assistance program that helps low income families, seniors, singles, students and even those who are currently homeless, buy better foods so they can focus on their health. This is a comprehensive effort across the Inland Empire to increase access and participation in food assistance, reduce hunger and promote good nutrition.

Cal Fresh helps people stretch their food dollars so they can buy more fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. Formerly known as the Food Stamps Program, this is a federal program run through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Eligible individuals can apply for Cal Fresh benefits through an application process. Through special grant funding by Aetna, the FARSB Cal Fresh Outreach Team is available to assist families and individuals with the application process throughout the year as well.

“Cal Fresh is intended to help low-income people put healthy food on their tables each month. The program also stimulates state and local economies because it brings federal dollars into our communities everywhere that Cal Fresh benefits can be redeemed, such as grocery stores or Farmers’ Markets,” said FARSB CEO Stephanie Otero.

“It’s always surprises me that so many people who might qualify actually think they don’t,” added Vanessa Rangel, Director of Programs at FARSB. “That’s where our staff and community partners can help.”

Those from the public who are interested in getting information about the program can call FARSB at 951-359-4757 to make an appointment for either May 21st or May 31st. Additional opportunities to meet with FARSB staff about Cal Fresh will be held throughout the community as well, including May 9th and 23rd at UCR and other places throughout the Inland Empire.

In the Inland Empire, more than 800,000 are at risk of food insecurity and may not know where they’ll find their next meal. That number includes 1 in 5 children.

To learn more about FARSB and other ways you can get involved and support the Inland Empire community, please visit www.FeedingIE.org .

About Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino began in 1980 as Survive Food Bank in response to the increasing concern about the dual problems of hunger and food waste in the Inland Empire. Today, FARSB is the primary source of food for over 400 nonprofit organizations, distributing over 2 million pounds of food monthly to emergency food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, high-need elementary schools, halfway houses, senior centers, residential treatment centers, shelters for the abused, after school programs and group homes. More than 125,000 men, women and children each month rely on the food bank’s distribution center to make ends meet.