Food insecurity in California is a complex issue, with approximately 20% of Californians facing uncertain access to adequate food. Despite California's status as a major producer of fruits and vegetables, more than 1 in 5 Californians, about 8.8 million people, struggle with food insecurity. The consequences of food insecurity extend beyond hunger, impacting school attendance, workplace productivity, and physical and mental health.
Several factors contribute to food insecurity in California, including poverty, racial disparities, and the high cost of living. The recent pandemic further exacerbated the issue. There is also the important topic of food deserts, where at least 33% of the population lives more than 1 mile from the nearest fresh food grocery store.
Efforts to address food insecurity in California include ideas such as automatic enrollment, targeted community outreach, state administration of CalFresh, and expanding pilot programs to help low-income Californians afford more fresh foods. The popular Market Match program lets shoppers get more farmers market food for their CalFresh (EBT/SNAP) dollars, while community gardens create spaces where people can learn about and start growing their own fresh foods. Several groups throughout the state are working to reduce food waste by gleaning and redistributing food locally, and policymakers are exploring the possibility of expanding existing programs and considering new, research-based initiatives to address hunger in the state.