food policy | Ecology Center

Ecology Center and the Future of SNAP

August 3, 2015 by Ecology Center

The Ecology Center is at the forefront of policy discussions to improve health outcomes among the nation’s most vulnerable communities. On May 29th, 2015, the Ecology Center’s Executive Director, Martin Bourque, presented as a featured speaker at The Future of SNAP? Improving Nutrition Policy to Ensure Health and Food Equity. Hosted by the Berkeley Food… Read more »

Expanding Healthy Food Access at Farmers’ Markets: KQED Covers Market Match Program & AB 1321 Update

July 17, 2015 by Ecology Center

From media to policy pathways, our program Market Match continues to gain exciting traction. The program was covered by KQED’s California Report, highlighting how the program works to help low-income shoppers afford healthy fruits & vegetables, and helps farmers increase their sales to make ends meet. At the same time, the piece shared how the… Read more »

$2.5M for Nutrition Incentives Chopped from State Budget, but AB 1321 is Still in Play

June 25, 2015 by Ecology Center

Last week in Sacramento, the $2.5 million in nutrition incentives that we’ve been lobbying for was dropped during the 2015-2016 budget negotiation between the legislature and the governor. However, AB 1321 is still in play- the bill would set up the infrastructure necessary to administer a nutrition incentive grant program, once funding is secured. The… Read more »

Act Now to Support AB 1321 in California’s Budget: Nutrition Incentives Act Is Win-Win for Low-Income Families & Small Farmers

May 20, 2015 by Ecology Center

Last week Governor Brown released his revised budget for the state. In response to the Governor’s proposal, the California state Assembly and Senate are in the process of preparing their counter-proposal. Now is the time to ask California’s Budget leaders to Fund Nutrition Incentives Act, AB 1321. For background on AB 1321, click here. How… Read more »

Market Match Program Grows with the Power of Partnerships and a New Website

February 3, 2015 by Ecology Center

Today, the Ecology Center is launching our new Market Match website, MarketMatch.org. This new mobile compatible website informs shoppers, funders, partners, and the general public about the Market Match program. It builds support for the program, and it assists shoppers in locating the nearest CalFresh-accessible farmers’ market, including those that offer Market Match. Established in… Read more »