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<a href="https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2021/09/13/growing-table-aims-provide-free-organic-produce-farmworkers/8326861002/">The Salinas Californian</a> (September 13th, 2021) &#8211; Growing the Table Aims to Provide Free, Organic Produce to Salinas Farmworkers
by: <a class="gnt_ar_by_a gnt_ar_by_a__fi" href="https://www.thecalifornian.com/staff/8017867002/jocelyn-ortega/">Jocelyn Ortega</a>
Food insecurity has only gotten worse since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for those in the fields earning low wages while feeding the rest of America. In the last year, hundreds of Salinas families relied on donated food boxes but many worry it is still not enough. Recent food donation efforts were made by Growing the Table, a pilot program that delivered locally grown food to food-insecure families throughout the Central Coast since May.
They have donated more than 138,000 pounds of food to Salinas families and throughout Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. However, with the end of this 15-week program set for October, the hope is that Growing the Table can get the funding needed to continue serving families long-term.
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Read the article <a href="https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2021/09/13/growing-table-aims-provide-free-organic-produce-farmworkers/8326861002/">here</a>.

Beneficial State Bank Aims To Transform A Traditional Industry By Empowering Consumers And Communities

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<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christophermarquis/2021/09/02/banking-on-a-better-future-beneficial-state-bank-aims-to-transform-a-traditional-industry-by-empowering-consumers-and-communities/?sh=48e7ebb92566">Forbes</a> (September 2nd, 2021) &#8211; Banking On A Better Future: Beneficial State Bank Aims To Transform A Traditional Industry By Empowering Consumers And Communities
by: <a class="contrib-link--name remove-underline" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christophermarquis/">Christopher Marquis</a>
In establishing Beneficial State Bank as a financial institution with social and environmental impact in mind, co-founders Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer saw an opportunity to serve as an example for others in the U.S. financial industry, which handles trillions of dollars in finances daily. The potential for positive change is great in a system where the biggest U.S. banks have trillions in assets, and even smaller financial institutions oversee millions.
“It’s a very powerful system that has monopolistic tendencies. Banking is really a utility that should be governed in the public interest,” Taylor says. “We had a hunch that this powerful positive public system was going terribly awry, and somebody had to set an example for the banking industry that said, ‘You can be financially sustainable without trashing people or the planet.’”
Read the publication <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christophermarquis/2021/09/02/banking-on-a-better-future-beneficial-state-bank-aims-to-transform-a-traditional-industry-by-empowering-consumers-and-communities/?sh=48e7ebb92566">here</a>.

Kat Taylor Celebrates Adoption of School Meals for All in California

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California Launches Largest Free School Lunch Program in the US

<a href="https://ktla.com/news/california/california-launches-largest-free-school-lunch-program-in-u-s/">KLTA5</a> (Jul 19, 2021) &#8211; California launches largest free school lunch program in U.S., with all students having option to eat meals for free.
by: <a class="author url fn" title="Posts by Associated Press" href="https://ktla.com/author/associated-press/" rel="author">Associated Press</a>
When classrooms in California reopen for the fall term, all 6.2 million public school students will have the option to eat school meals for free, regardless of their family’s income.
The undertaking, made possible by an unexpected budget surplus, will be the largest free student lunch program in the country. School officials, lawmakers, anti-hunger organizations and parents are applauding it as a pioneering way to prevent the stigma of accepting free lunches and feed more hungry children.
“This is so historic. It’s beyond life-changing,” said Erin Primer, director of food services for the San Luis Coastal Unified School District on California’s central coast.
Several U.S. cities including New York, Boston and Chicago already offer free school meals for all. But until recently, statewide universal meal programs were considered too costly and unrealistic. California became the first state to adopt a universal program late last month, and Maine followed shortly after with a similar plan&#8230;
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Read the article <a href="https://ktla.com/news/california/california-launches-largest-free-school-lunch-program-in-u-s/">here</a>.

All Kids in CA Deserve Two Free School Meals a Day

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<a href="https://www.dailycal.org/2021/06/22/all-kids-in-ca-deserve-two-school-meals-a-day/">The Daily Californian</a> (June 22nd, 2021) &#8211; All Kids in CA Deserve Two School Meals a Day
by: <a class="author url fn" title="Posts by Kat Taylor" href="https://www.dailycal.org/author/kattaylor/" rel="author">Kat Taylor</a> and <a class="author url fn" title="Posts by Stacia Hill Levenfeld" href="https://www.dailycal.org/author/shlevenfeld/" rel="author">Stacia Hill Levenfeld</a>
Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom submitted his revised 2021-22 budget, a proposal that embraces the concept of free, nutritional meals for all students. Now, many eyes are fixed on him as he is poised to cement the state’s legacy as the first in the nation to standardize the provision of free school meals.
California is home to about 6 million K-12 public school students as well as the fifth-largest economy in the world. Its leadership in implementing universal free meals would be a game changer for our kids, families, growers and food service workers, serving as an example for other states.
As co-sponsors of SB 364 — a bill introduced by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, also known as the Free School Meals for All Act of 2021 — we call on Gov. Newsom to support the Legislature’s recently passed budget. While this budget was passed as a placeholder to satisfy a constitutional deadline, negotiations between the Legislature and Newsom are ongoing, and a deal for a final state budget is expected any time between now and July 1. The placeholder budget was directly influenced by SB 364, providing $650 million in ongoing funding beginning in 2022-23 to ensure all students have access to free breakfast and lunch at school&#8230;
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Read the Op-Ed <a href="https://www.dailycal.org/2021/06/22/all-kids-in-ca-deserve-two-school-meals-a-day/">here</a>.

Free School Meals for All Considered in California State Budget

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<a href="https://schoolmealsforall.org/may-4-press-release">May 4, 2021</a> &#8211; (Sacramento, CA)
by: Kat Taylor
On the heels of a White House proposal to increase access to school meals and in advance of a California budget hearing on May 5, a coalition of more than 100 organizations is calling on lawmakers to support policies from the “Free School Meals for All Act of 2021.” School nutrition directors, teachers, labor organizations, health experts, environmental advocates, racial equity champions, child poverty advocates, ranchers, and farmers are raising awareness about the benefits of school meals and the essential work of school nutrition professionals in a week of action culminating on School Lunch Hero Day (May 7).
“California will continue to lead nationally and set a strong example for the federal government by supporting school food policies that close the harmful educational, economic, and health gaps that have only widened during the pandemic,&#8221; said  Kat Taylor, Founding Director, TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation. &#8220;Providing our school children with fresh, California-grown meals advances their education and development.”
On Wednesday, May 5, the California Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education will hear testimony on how policies from the “Free School Meals for All Act of 2021” would improve student health and academic achievement while supporting California farmers and ranchers. 
“Free school meals for all is based on a simple, compelling premise: universal schools, universal meals,” said Senate Budget Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Oakland), who introduced the “Free School Meals for All Act of 2021.” “Everyone benefits if meals are just part of the school day. It will improve learning and is less of a hassle for families and less bureaucracy for our schools.”
In April, the California Senate Human Services Committee and the California Senate Education Committee unanimously passed the “Free School Meals for All Act of 2021.” The bill has 30 co-authors from across California. This proposal could make California the first state in the nation to permanently provide two free meals to all K-12 students while incentivizing local purchases from California farmers and supporting low-income families in reducing child hunger when schools are closed.
&#8220;We are at a critical moment to invest in our children and their education,” said Adam Kesselman, Executive Director of the Center for Ecoliteracy. “Senator Skinner’s School Meals for All benefits California families, schools, and agriculture. The time is now.”
Acknowledging the ongoing need and importance of school meals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently extended several emergency feeding waivers that began during COVID-19 through June 30, 2022 — allowing all children nationwide to access free meals at school sites. School Meals for All would provide a seamless transition so that California families can continue to access the free school meals they have depended on during the pandemic. 
Additionally, in the American Families Plan, the Biden administration proposed an investment of $45 billion to help low-income Americans have greater access to nutrition assistance through the school meals program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program. The provisions that California is considering would extend <a style="color: #99cc00;" href="https://www.cafoodbanks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021_CAFB_Pandemic-EBT_Report.pdf">EBT benefits</a> during school breaks and disasters lasting more than five days — such as those caused by the state’s frequent wildfires. 
“No child should go hungry in California, home to the fifth-largest economy in the world. Yet, child hunger has reached shameful levels, with deep inequities for low-income communities of color. Budgets are statements of values, and California must take a strong stand against child hunger,&#8221; said Andrew Cheyne, Director of Government Affairs for the California Association of Food Banks. &#8220;Parents can’t save for a rainy day if their children are hungry, and we need the state to use its resources to fight hunger right now.&#8221;
<a style="color: #008000;" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778453?utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_term=040921">A new study from Tufts University</a> shows school meals are the primary source of nutritious meals for American children. Researchers found that the <a style="color: #99cc00;" href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act">Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a> greatly improved the nutritional quality of school meals. Policies from the “Free School Meals for All Act of 2021” could further improve school meals for California children, providing them with fresh, nourishing meals as California recovers from the pandemic. 
“School Meals for All should be our biggest priority,” said Mark Chavez, Director of Nutrition Services at Long Beach Unified School District, the third-largest public school district in California. “When meals are free for everyone, more students participate. This has benefits for students, families, and school districts.”
Across the state, school nutrition directors like Mark Chavez — alongside thousands of school nutrition professionals — have continued to provide school meals throughout the pandemic despite the challenges of weather, wildfire smoke, and COVID-19 outbreaks. In celebration of their dedication, May 7 is the <a style="color: #99cc00;" href="https://schoolnutrition.org/schoollunchheroday/">8th Annual School Lunch Hero Day</a>, a day to acknowledge the contributions of school nutrition professionals in reducing child hunger and providing nutritious meals to students. The School Meals for All coalition will participate in a week of action to raise awareness about the benefits of school meals and the essential work of school nutrition professionals.
&#8220;No parent should have to worry about whether their child will have access to food, especially when our state produces nearly half of the country’s fresh produce,” said Jessica Stender, co-chair of the Stronger California Advocates Network, a collaborative campaign of more than 50 advocacy groups and coalitions from across the state. “The past year proved how crucial school meals are to families. School Meals for All will help California families regain economic security as we rebuild from the pandemic.&#8221;
School Meals For All Coalition Members: <a style="color: #99cc00;" href="https://schoolmealsforall.org/supporters">schoolmealsforall.org/supporters</a>
What People Are Saying About School Meals For All: <a style="color: #99cc00;" href="https://schoolmealsforall.org/supporters">schoolmealsforall.org/supporters</a>
Media Contact: 
Lucy-Claire Saunders 
lucy.saunders@fahrllc.com

Powerhouse Coalition of Wealthy Donors and Big Foundations

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<a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/article/powerhouse-coalition-of-wealthy-donors-and-big-foundations-urges-congress-to-spur-more-giving">Chronicle of Philanthropy</a> (Dec. 1, 2020) &#8211; Powerhouse Coalition of Wealthy Donors and Big Foundations
by: <a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/author/dan-parks" aria-label="Dan Parks" data-cms-ai="0">Dan Parks </a>and <a class="Link" href="https://www.philanthropy.com/author/alex-daniels" data-cms-ai="0">Alex Daniels</a>
A powerhouse coalition of wealthy individual donors, some of the nation’s largest private foundations, and prominent scholars on charitable giving Tuesday joined forces to urge Congress to adopt a set of tax proposals intended to speed up distributions from foundations and donor-advised funds&#8230;.
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Read the article <a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/article/powerhouse-coalition-of-wealthy-donors-and-big-foundations-urges-congress-to-spur-more-giving">here</a>.

My Giving Pledge Promise Isn’t Enough: Why It’s Time for the Wealthy to Do More

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<a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/article/my-giving-pledge-promise-isnt-enough-why-its-time-for-the-wealthy-to-do-more">The Chronicle of Philanthropy</a> (November 11th, 2020) &#8211; My Giving Pledge Promise Isn’t Enough: Why It’s Time for the Wealthy to Do More
by:  <a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/author/kat-taylor" aria-label="Kat Taylor " data-cms-ai="0">Kat Taylor</a>
My six decades have taken me many places. As a philanthropist, I have wrestled with grant making that addresses the symptoms but not the root causes of societal ills. As co-founder and former CEO of a mission-driven community bank, I worked to finance a better world by prioritizing lending for social and environmental impact and changing the banking system for good. As an impact investor, I worked with colleagues to create 10 venture funds to try to change the allocation of startup funding. As a food producer and advocate, I have fought for greater racial and gender equity, environmental restoration, and economic resiliency in our food system. On that same road, my spouse, Tom Steyer, and I took the Giving Pledge, and I serve on the boards of several nonprofits&#8230;
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Read the Op-Ed <a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/article/my-giving-pledge-promise-isnt-enough-why-its-time-for-the-wealthy-to-do-more">here</a>.