CalFresh Promotes Healthy Eating Options During Awareness Month

The CalFresh program celebrated the launch of CalFresh Awareness Month Monday, it's annual campaign to encourage fresh foods in low-income households.

According to the CalFresh website, the campaign seeks to "increase access and participation in food assistance, reduce hunger and promote good nutrition."

In addition to Superior Grocers, CalFresh is also partnering with several school districts, non-profit organizations and Los Angeles County departments to raise awareness.

Through the progam, famlies can receive monthly allowances in the form of electronic benefits that can be used to buy food at various markets. Funds can also be used to purchase seeds so that consumers can grow their own fresh food at home.

Through the CalFresh program, families receive $200 a month on average.

Steve Baldwin, the director of the county's nutrition program believes that it is important to make sure low income families have access to healthy options in their communities. "We need to create a new norm where eating well, being active, and living healthy is the easy choice." Baldwin stated.

CalFresh is the federally funded program formerly referred to as food stamps that has since been changed to SNAP -- the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In 2012, the program took it's current name to reflect the program's dedication to providing access to fresh food and produce.