August 22, 2022 - FRESNO, Calif. – Last week, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced nearly $1 million in emergency rural health care grants for the Central California Food Bank to tackle food insecurity and support healthy outcomes in communities across the San Joaquin Valley.

“The American Rescue Plan continues to deliver bold solutions to tackling food insecurity in America,” said Costa. “With increased food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, food banks have stepped up to put food on the table for those who need it most. These federal investments will enable food banks in my district to expand access to nutritious food to our most vulnerable communities and will help prevent long-term health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Everyone should have access to healthy food.” 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to creating local and regional food systems that benefit all Americans, from farmers and ranchers to entrepreneurs and families in rural communities everywhere,” Torres Small said. “Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Costa, USDA has resources through programs like the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to increase access to healthy foods for people living in small towns and rural communities in California and throughout the country.”  

“The USDA Emergency Rural Health Care Grant is a monumental investment by USDA which will support the ongoing operation of two programs CCFB started in direct response to the pandemic— the Rural School Food Distribution program and Food Support for Farmworkers program. Funds are also being used for capacity-building equipment to support enhanced food storage and distribution operations for our Neighborhood Market fresh produce program and partner Pantry distribution sites, as well as funding to increase the amount of food distributed through these programs. This investment is a real and tangible impact for the families and neighbors that we are serving in these 19 rural communities in Madera, Fresno and Tulare Counties where 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 children are food insecure and struggling to put meals on their tables with rising costs of food, gas, and other basic needs.” said Natalie Caples, CEO of the Central California Food Bank

USDA Rural Development awarded TWO Emergency Rural Health Care Recovery grants to the Central California Food Bank, including:

• $854,900 to support newly created food pantries and neighborhood market programs to meet the increasing demand for food distribution services in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in sixteen nearby rural communities including Allensworth, Alpaugh, Biola, Cantua Creek, Coarsegold, Goshen, Ivanhoe, Oakhurst, Pixley, Poplar, Raisin City, Richgrove, San Joaquin, Strathmore, Tranquility, and Traver.

• $72,300 to purchase food and equipment for food distribution and increase food storage capacity in the communities of Caruthers, Lemon Cove, and Springville.

The Emergency Rural Health Care program provides up to $500 million in grant funding to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities. This program was created through the American Rescue Plan, which Costa voted to pass last year.     

Each year, chronic diseases account for 70% of all deaths in the United States. According to a publication from Feeding America, food insecurity can lead to Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. Children at risk of hunger are more likely to be in poor health and struggle in school. 
Source: Congressman Jim Costa