1 City Council Meeting: February 13, 2024 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA OPPOSING THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL TO CUT $33.2 MILLION OF THE $35
MILLION BUDGET FOR THE MARKET MATCH PROGRAM AND URGING THE
GOVERNOR TO MAINTAIN ALL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE
CALIFORNIA NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM (CNIP) IN THE STATE BUDGET WHEREAS, on January 10, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state is facing a $37.9 billion shortfall and released his 2024-25 budget proposal which proposes a drastic cut of $33.2 million from the current $35 million budget for the Market Match program (also known as the California Nutrition Incentive Program or CNIP); and WHEREAS, Market Match draws down 1:1 federal matching dollars, supporting economic development in California's struggling rural areas, and its cuts would dismantle a decade-long partnership and critical infrastructure; and WHEREAS, Market Match is a vital program that matches EBT/CalFresh shoppers' purchases at farmers markets, providing dollar-for-dollar incentive dollars to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, supporting low-income shoppers, helping local farmers, and strengthening farmers markets; and WHEREAS, Market Match has been successfully operating at the Saturday Pico Farmers Market since 2014 and at the Sunday Main Street Farmers Market since January 2023, contributing significantly to the redemption of $84,270 by 40 farmers between the two markets last year; and
2 WHEREAS, the loss of Market Match funding is expected to have a negative impact on low-income shoppers, local farmers, and success of community markets, drawing in new customers, and retaining vendors; and
WHEREAS, the Market Match funding was included in the joint versions of the 2023/2024 budget and signed by the governor at $35 million last year; and WHEREAS, Market Match is a vital program that helps low-income California families access fresh fruits and vegetables by matching Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for California-grown fresh produce, safeguarding against food insecurity and advancing health equity; and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby opposes the Governor's proposed cut of $33.2 million from the $35 million budget for the Market Match program and expresses concern about the potential negative impact on low-income shoppers, local farmers, and the success of community markets.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby Urges the Governor to maintain ALL safety net programs, including the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), in the state budget for the well-being of California families, farmers and the economy.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect. The City Clerk shall further transmit a copy of this resolution to the Governor, Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees, Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur 3 and any other appropriate authorities to emphasize the City of Santa Monica's strong opposition to the proposed cuts and support for vital programs such as Market Match and CNIP.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Douglas Sloan, City Attorney