APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROWENA BROWN
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2026 AS HUNGER ACTION
MONTH AND RAISING AWARENESS OF THE GROWING
CHALLENGES OF FOOD INSECURITY FACING OAKLAND
RESIDENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland recognizes September 2026 as “Hunger Action Month,” a nationwide effort to raise awareness and inspire action to address food insecurity and hunger in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland has a long and proud history of embracing diversity, inclusion, and human rights for all residents and fostering a community where everyone is respected, able to live authentically, and food is viewed as a human right; and
WHEREAS, cuts to federal programs under the current administration, in conjunction with the high cost of living and land privatization, as it relates to food sovereignty in the Bay Area, has exacerbated food insecurity; and individuals experiencing poverty, incarc eration, and housing insecurity must often make impossible choices between vital expenses of rent, health care, and food; and
WHEREAS, the legacy of discrimination, redlining, and historic disinvestment in our most vulnerable communities within the City of Oakland, and beyond, continues to shape who has access to food, housing, and opportunity; and
WHEREAS, people who are incarcerated or re -entering, people who are unhoused, seniors, children, people with disabilities, immigrants and many others face historic and systemic food disinvestments including through food apartheid; and
WHEREAS, child hunger is inextricably linked to economic hardship, directly aligning Hunger Action Month with the state of California’s target under pending Assembly Bill 1996 (Bonta) to cut child poverty in half over the next decade; and
WHEREAS, access to consistent, nutritious food is fundamental to a child’s health, education, and long-term well-being, making food security a vital pillar in breaking generational cycles of poverty; and
2 WHEREAS, food security is the short -term goal of pantries and other hyperlocal food system actors; and self -determination, local control over food and agriculture, and prioritizing community needs over corporate interests are the mission of partner organizations f ighting for long-term food sovereignty; and
WHEREAS, over 40 local organizations and partners in Alameda County are a part of the Countywide Food Sovereignty Roundtable, convened by Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas and supported by Health and Social Services; and this Roundtable is uniting efforts across the public and private sectors to invest in food sovereignty solutions through coordinated budget advocacy, workforce development, emergency rapid response and mutual aid; and
WHEREAS, Roundtable partners are deepening relationships throughout the local food system and have secured over $50M in County resources over three years for our food system, as a matter of public health and racial and economic justice; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland acknowledges the struggle of individuals and families in our community experiencing food insecurity and hunger, and encourages our residents to support the community organizations in our city working to create greater food sovereignty by volunteering their time, knowledge, and resources; and
WHEREAS, the work of groups such as The Alameda County Food Sovereignty Collaborative through direct services, community organizing and mutual aid, and larger efforts towards racial and economic justice in Oakland are critical for our communities to thrive; and
WHEREAS, Community Kitchen s serves as an indispensable frontline partner in this effort, tirelessly combating food insecurity by delivering nutritious meals, restoring dignity, and nourishing vulnerable families across our region; and
WHEREAS, Hunger Action Month serves as a critical call to mobilize public agencies, local food banks, and advocates to expand nutrition assistance, eliminate child hunger, and ensure every family has reliable access to the resources they need; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: The City Council reaffirms its commitment to ending food insecurity in the City of Oakland through partnership and collaboration with our county leadership, community - based organizations, and constituents; and be it
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3 FURTHER RESOLVED: The Oakland City Council hereby proclaims September 2026 as Hunger Action Month.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
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