(a)
On and after January 1, 2012, the State Department of Social Services shall establish and administer the State Emergency Food Assistance Program (SEFAP). The SEFAP shall provide food and funding for the provision of emergency food to food banks established pursuant to the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (7 C.F.R. Parts 250 and 251) whose ongoing primary function is to facilitate the distribution of food to low-income households.
(b)
The State Emergency Food Assistance Program Account is hereby established in the Emergency Food Assistance Program Fund established pursuant to Section 18852 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and may receive
federal funds and voluntary donations or contributions.
(c)
Notwithstanding Section 18853 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the following shall apply:
(1)
All moneys received by the State Emergency Food Assistance Program Account shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be allocated to the State Department of Social Services for allocation to the SEFAP and, with the exception of those contributions made pursuant to Section 18851 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and funds received through Parts 250 and 251 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, shall be used for the purchase, storage, and transportation of food grown or produced in California. Storage and transportation expenditures shall not exceed 10 percent of the SEFAP fund’s annual budget.
(2)
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), funds received by the State Emergency Food Assistance Program Account shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be allocated to the State Department of Social Services for allocation to the SEFAP as described in paragraph (1), and shall, in part, be used to pay for the department’s administrative costs associated with the administration of the SEFAP.