May at ACCFB: CalFresh Awareness Month + Upcoming Events

March-ing toward food justice.

March 2026

Policy Update: ACCFB in D.C.

Left to right: Vice President of Impact Liz Gomez, community advocate Soraya Urrutia, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, and Senior Policy Advocate Ezer Pamintuan

ACCFB’s advocates are committed to ensuring that our community’s voices are represented at key decision-making tables. On March 3, Senior Policy Advocate Ezer Pamintuan, Vice President of Impact Liz Gomez, and Soraya Urrutia, a community advocate and member of ACCFB's Food Justice Organizing Task Force, joined dozens of other food banks across the country in Washington, D.C. to advocate for anti-hunger policy in the face of federal cuts.

We are incredibly proud to report that this is the first time that a community advocate joined ACCFB at one of our D.C. trips. Soraya deeply moved the staff members at the Congressional offices with her personal story.

“As a volunteer, I see firsthand how many families rely on food banks and nutrition programs to get by each week. Being able to bring those stories to Washington, D.C. and speak with federal leaders was an important opportunity to advocate for our community,” Soraya remarked after the trip. “I had the honor to be myself and when I was asked to introduce myself in Senator Alex Padilla's office, I got inspired and said my name is ‘community.’ Maybe that was the best part because I realized that I represent all the people that are in need in these challenging times.”

Pushing For Federal Assistance

Last year, the federal government passed the largest cut to food assistance ever, which will result in an estimated 20,000 people in Alameda County that rely on SNAP losing their benefits permanently. During meetings with lawmakers, ACCFB’s advocates urged Congress to support community members who will be impacted by these devastating cuts by funding food banks. They also urged Congress to reverse the cuts to SNAP/CalFresh, a program that provides 9 meals for every 1 meal provided by food banks.

How To Get Involved

Meetings with elected officials are only powerful because of the stories and letters you send us and that we share with them. In the coming weeks, there will be more opportunities to write letters and send stories. Sign up at accfb.org/advocacy to be the first to learn about our calls to action. You will also receive updates about Hunger Action Day, our biggest advocacy event of the year, taking place in Sacramento on Wednesday, April 29. Stay tuned for registration info coming soon!

National Nutrition Month: ACCFB’s Nutrition Philosophy

The ACCFB Cookbook

March is National Nutrition Month, and ACCFB values the important role nutrition plays in building healthy communities. Our work is guided by our vision of an Alameda County where all people are nourished and thriving, and the Nutrition Team, which includes a registered Dietitian and Community Nutrition Educator, helps advance this vision by ensuring that the food shared across our network supports both immediate needs and long-term health.

Our Nutrition Philosophy is grounded in community feedback to ensure we are hearing your voices and needs to strengthen the quality and variety of foods available to our partner agencies. We also offer nutrition education classes and trainings for community members that provide practical tools and resources around meal planning, and preventive nutrition education.

In addition, our team created a cookbook that celebrates culturally diverse recipes while highlighting nutritious, affordable ingredients often available through Food Bank distributions. Together, these efforts help ensure that access to food also means access to nourishing, culturally meaningful meals that support the health and well-being of our community. You can learn more about our nutrition workshops below and contact us at health@accfb.org with any questions.

Show Your Love: Best of Oakland Magazine

Last year, ACCFB was voted as one of the top 5 in two of Oakland Magazine’s “Best Of” categories: Best Nonprofit Groups AND Best Places to Volunteer. We hope we can earn your vote in 2026, too! You can nominate us for Best Nonprofit Groups and Best Places to Volunteer under the “Lifestyle & Leisure” category. Thank you!