Proposed Law Aims To Feed California's Starving College Students

CALIFORNIA — The stereotype about starving students exists for a reason, and California legislators hope a new bill will help stave off the hunger that afflicts a third of all college students often forced to choose between food and tuition.

A bill that would give low-income college students reliable access to nutritious food through the Cal Fresh program is one step closer to becoming law, it was announced this week. The bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, cleared the Assembly's Human Services Committee Tuesday by a unanimous vote and is now headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"Students shouldn’t have to starve in order to get an education," Sen. Dodd said. "Hunger is a serious problem on California college campuses today. My bill will ensure students of modest means don’t go hungry by making it easier for them to receive public assistance."

Food insecurity is a top concern among college students, Dodd said. According to a recent Government Accountability Office report, a third of all college student are struggling to afford food and basic nutrition. The report recommends the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service take steps to enroll people in federal food assistance programs.

Senate Bill 173 would remove barriers California college students face while trying to get subsidies under Cal Fresh, in part, by streamlining the application process. More than 50,000 California college students could be enrolled in food assistance due to the legislation.

"The Cal Fresh rules for students can be extremely limiting, forcing too many struggling college students to go hungry," said Cathy Senderling McDonald, deputy executive director of the California Welfare Directors Association. "County human services agencies hope this bill will help ease participation in the types of work-study programs that enable more students to become and remain eligible for this critical nutrition support program."

The bill is supported by the California Welfare Directors Association, the County of Yolo and student groups, the press release said.