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As California finalized its state budget for this year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County — your food bank and the first established in the state — extends our deepest gratitude to state Sen. John Laird for his steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to ending hunger in our community and beyond.
Thanks to Laird’s steadfast advocacy, the CalFood program — which supports food banks across California — was funded at $60 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year, a significant increase from the $8 million proposed in the governor’s May revision. This landmark investment underscores Laird’s deep-rooted commitment to food security on the Central Coast and throughout the state.
Working alongside Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Laird helped secure critical funding that enables food banks to purchase fresh, California-grown food, nourishing families while investing in our state’s farmers and food producers. This funding helps us provide not just more food, but better food — nutritious, locally sourced and rooted in dignity.
Since taking office in 2020, Laird has consistently prioritized hunger prevention, recognizing that food security is inseparable from housing stability, economic justice and public health. As food costs rise and too many Californians face impossible choices between basic needs, this investment in CalFood sends a powerful message: Our state values the well-being of every resident.
Thank you, Sen. Laird, for being a true champion in the fight against hunger — and for your unwavering commitment to education, housing, environmental stewardship and the well-being of all Californians. Your leadership continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Erica Padilla-Chavez
CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County