Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — Referred to as Majority Leader and addressed by the speaker.
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — The speaker says Aguiar-Curry spoke to immigration concerns.
Celeste Rodriguez — Asked about accessibility gaps for non-English speakers and about call center delays affecting CalFresh applicants, especially college students needing interviews.
Al Muratsuchi — Addressed as chair while transitioning to the next question period.
Andy Naja-Riese — Andy Naja-Riese is mentioned as a forthcoming speaker, and his organization is described as operating a mobile market that helps reach many low-income seniors.
Veronica Maserigo Sanastasio — Veronica Maserigo Sanastasio, a farmer in Pescadero, San Mateo County and co-founder of Brisa Ranch, testified about the challenges facing small and medium-scale farms and the importance of resilient regional food systems. She described managing over 100 acres of organic vegetables and fruits, serving on a CDFA advisory committee, and explained how climate-related disasters, the pandemic, predatory distribution practices, low prices, rising costs, and insecure land tenure make farming increasingly difficult. She argued that state investment in local and regional food systems could simultaneously reduce hunger, support family farms, strengthen rural economies, mitigate climate impacts, and improve health through food-as-medicine approaches.
Tim Galarno — Tim Galarno introduced himself and his role with the UC Center for Agriculture, where he works on food systems partnerships and resilience. He noted that the joint session may be the first of its kind to connect food and farm production with community food security and well-being, and he began outlining his related UC work, including student basic needs and the Southwest Food Business Center.
Veronica — Noted as attending the convening and following up on direct sourcing with the chef.
Veronica — Veronica is directly addressed and praised for sharing useful information about her work, and her earlier comments are then used as a basis for further discussion, with the speaker building on what she offered.
Becky Silva — Expected to speak in the next panel about the topic.
Becky Silva — Becky Silva of the California Association of Food Banks begins her testimony by introducing herself and explaining that the organization represents 41 food banks across California as part of a statewide network.
Steve Brazil — Introduced himself as founder of Sunterra Produce and described his background in agriculture and farm labor.
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — Chair Soria is referenced as asking questions; the transcript likely intended a committee chair reference, but the name is unclear and may be a transcription error.
Tim — A panelist named Tim is asked to speak about challenges in improving local food systems and addressing food insecurity.
Secretary Rollins — Referenced as noting expected trade impacts to agriculture.
Mike Gorman — Identified as the founder of a farmer veteran coalition and present in the discussion about trade impacts.
Steve Bennett — Steve is addressed as the next person to respond.
Lisa Calderon — Referenced as a fellow Assembly Member in the context of discussing agriculture issues.
Andrew Shane — Andrew Shane is introduced as a presenter representing Grace and Child Poverty, California, with the chair noting he will speak for five to eight minutes. A follow-up introduction reiterates his name, pronouns, and affiliation as the presentation gets underway.
Sarah Hanson — Sarah Hanson from CDFA is cited as explaining that other programs piggyback off the core SNAP program.
Sabrina Cervantes — A letter from Senator Hurtado to Mr. Valadao is cited, urging him not to vote for the budget resolution or cut Medicaid.
Janet Nguyen — The speakers express gratitude to Assembly Member Janet Nguyen for her leadership on the CalFood issue, specifically in relation to the budget letter and efforts to secure CalFood funding.
Michelle Rodriguez — Michelle Rodriguez was credited for her leadership on the CalFood issue and thanked for recently submitting a budget letter in support of it.
Michelle Rodriguez — Addressed by name as the member being asked whether she has questions; she then asks about food availability in light of federal actions.
Leticia Castillo — Welcomed as the vice chair on Human Services.
Andy Najurice — Introduced himself as CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Marin and representative of the California Alliance of Farmers Markets.
Eli Zegas — Named as the executive director of Fullwell, though the speaker then moved on to the Agricultural Institute of Marin.
Eli Ziegis — Introduced himself as the executive director of Fullwell and began discussing the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT program.
Eli Ziegis — Eli Ziegis discusses Fullwell’s goal of expanding access to its produce program statewide through grocery stores and ensuring year-round continuity, and the committee responds by noting the related bill that would make the CalFresh Fruits and Vegetable program permanent.
Unidentified CalFresh participant in video — Says $60 in fruits and vegetables helps make meals for children and supports healthy eating.
Valentina — Valentina, a Montebello resident of eight years, testifies that the pilot program has helped her family and improved her life. She says it has made groceries and healthy eating more manageable, and that it even helped her reverse her type 2 diabetes by changing her eating habits toward vegetables.
Unidentified CalFresh participant — Says the program helps her family, especially with children and holiday expenses.
John Harabedian — John Harabedian is referenced in connection with legislative action and funding, including a $63 million budget request and AB-936, though the transcript appears to misidentify him as 'Chair Lee' or 'Assembly Member Lee.'
Laura Richardson — Mentioned as 'Senator Richardson' in connection with a $63 million budget request.
Andrew — Referenced as having shared information about $30 billion in potential SNAP cuts.
Luz Rivas — Addressed as the chair in whose district the Newark Farmers Market is located; likely a transcription error for a member name, but the transcript says Chair Lee.
Luz Rivas — Addressed as the chair whose district includes the Newark Farmers Market; likely a transcription error.
Luz Rivas — Referenced as having started the discussion with statistics; likely a transcription error because no Lee is in the member list.
Bet Smoker — Identified herself as policy director at the California Food and Farming Network and began public comment.
Darshana Patel — Referenced as having lived experience with farm workers being hungry.
Esmeralda Soria — Was thanked for hosting the joint oversight hearing.
Gregg Hart — Likely the speaker is referring to Assembly Member Lee in error; the transcript does not clearly identify the speaker, so this mention is uncertain and not corrected to a member ID.
Anamarie Farías — The speaker refers to 'Assembly of Soria,' which appears to be Assembly Member Soria; likely meant Assembly Member Anamarie Farías? The transcript is unclear, so this is left unassigned.
Sarah Hansen — Named as the person available for questions about the California Nutrition Incentives Program.
Secretary Ross — Thanked for testimony and noted as needing to leave for another meeting.
Sarah — Invited to join for questions.
Sarah — Asked to answer a question about which CDFA programs have had the biggest impact on food insecurity and return on investment.
Tess Thorman — Introduced herself as a researcher at the Public Policy Institute of California and outlined testimony on food insecurity and nutrition safety net programs.
Alexis Fernandez Garcia — Named as one of the possible next panelists.
Alexis Fernandez Garcia — Alexis Fernandez Garcia introduced herself as the Deputy Director of the Family Engagement and Empowerment Division at the Department of Social Services and explained that she oversees the administration of several food and nutrition programs.