We do not offer food. Here’s where you can find food.
No distribuimos alimentos. Encuentre comida gratis aquí.
我們不直接提供食物,但我們能幫助您找尋食物。

What are Food Insecurity and Hunger?

California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet more than 1 in 5 Californians — about 8.8 million — currently struggle with food insecurity. “Food insecurity” is limited or uncertain access to enough food to lead a healthy, active life.

Food insecurity can include experiences such as:
In extreme cases, it can also include:

Food insecurity has serious impacts on an individual’s well-being.
Food insecurity can certainly lead to hunger — the uncomfortable feeling someone has when they don’t have enough food. But even without the experience of hunger, food insecurity has been linked with poor school attendance and performance, lowered workplace productivity, and worse physical and mental health. Individuals experiencing food insecurity have to make tough decisions that no one should face. No family should have to decide between buying groceries or paying rent, no senior should have to choose between food and medicine, and no parent should have to skip a meal in order for their children to eat.

Hunger in California

California Food Insecurity Rate: ~23%
Data is from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey, and compiled by Diane Schanzenbach and Nicholas Fleming from the Northwestern Institute for Policy Research.

Californians facing food insecurity: ~8.8 million
On average, more than 1 out of every 5 Californians faces uncertain or inconsistent access to food. And yet, this number doesn’t tell the full story. Because of vast structural inequities, much higher levels of food insecurity are experienced by Black, Latine, and Multiracial Californians, with white Californians experiencing food insecurity at rates lower than the general population. Also, as shown below, across all racial and ethnic groups food insecurity is higher in households with children compared to those without.

Food Insecurity in California Households by Race and Household Type; Summer 2023

Data are from the US Census Household Pulse Survey and averages of weeks 58-60 (June 7 – Aug 7, 2023). Analysis provided by Northwestern Institute for Policy Research. Graph will be updated quarterly as data become available.

Research & Reports

California food banks delivered more than 880 million pounds of food in 2022. Learn more about how we’re responding to California’s ongoing hunger crisis by checking out our recently published reports:

CalFresh Emergency Allotments & Pandemic EBT Are Ending
CalFresh Emergency Allotments & Pandemic EBT Are Ending
February 2023
Expanding CalFresh to California’s SSI Recipients: Successes & Opportunities
June 2022
White Paper | CalFresh for College Students: Equitable & Just Access
March 2022

Pandemic-EBT in California: Lessons & Opportunities to End Childhood Hunger
March 2021
The Impact of COVID-19 on California’s Emergency Food System
March 2021

Food Bank Data

The Impact of California’s Food Bank Network, 2021–22
May 2023
California Food Banks & the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 2021

Annual Impact Reports

2022 Impact Report
March 2023
2021 Impact Report: Everyone to the Table
March 2022
2020 Impact Report: Through It Together: Our Pandemic Year
March 2021

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