Yolo County Food Closet Responds to Rising Food Insecurity

The Woodland Food Closet in Yolo County is ramping up its efforts to support an increasing number of individuals facing food insecurity. As the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces uncertainty, the Food Closet has become a vital resource for those in need. On a recent Saturday, staff collected donations while a visitor inquired about available food. “Not today,” a staff member replied, encouraging him to return on Monday.

Throughout Saturday, the Food Closet participated in a weeklong effort to stock up for the final day of SNAP benefits. On Friday, approximately 500 pounds of food were delivered, with staff anticipating more than double that amount on Saturday, the designated end date for benefits.

Tania Garcia-Cadena, Executive Director of the Food Closet and a city councilwoman, reported a surge in requests for food assistance in recent weeks. The number of individuals seeking help has risen dramatically from an average of 20 to 30 clients per week to as many as 80. “It used to be we would see about 185 people a month,” Garcia-Cadena noted. “Now, we’re serving about 1,000.”

Government Shutdown Impacts Food Assistance

This uptick in demand coincided with a federal government shutdown that raised concerns about the continuation of SNAP benefits. On Friday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must maintain funding for SNAP during the shutdown. The rulings came just before the Department of Agriculture prepared to halt payments to the program, leaving many uncertain about their food assistance.

SNAP, which supports approximately 42 million Americans—or about 1 in 8 people—is a crucial component of the national social safety net. The potential freeze on benefits caused alarm among states, food banks, and recipients alike. In response to the situation, various states, including California, have authorized funds to sustain the program. However, it remains unclear how quickly benefits can be reloaded onto recipients’ debit cards, a process that typically takes one to two weeks.

In Yolo County, the CalFresh Program, known as SNAP in California, continues to process applications and distribute benefits. In September 2023, the program issued $5.6 million in benefits to 18,759 households, supporting 27,622 eligible individuals. Following the official end of benefits, county health and human services officials have collaborated with the Yolo Food Bank and UC Davis Basic Needs to provide additional food resources.

Community Response and Support Initiatives

In light of the ongoing challenges, the Yolo Food Bank is expanding its efforts to ensure residents maintain access to food and essential resources. As part of this initiative, the Food Bank will deliver food to the UC Davis Basic Needs Center on November 8 and 15, where staff will distribute supplies to students and community members.

Furthermore, the Yolo Food Bank plans to increase overall food allocations by 20% across its nearly 60 regular distributions, while collaborating with 47 other organizations throughout the county to reach those in need. Emergency food distributions are also scheduled in Woodland and West Sacramento on November 5, 6, 12, and 13 to support CalFresh recipients.

SNAP, originally launched as the food stamp program in 1964, has provided grocery assistance for over 60 years. It serves low-income individuals and families, many of whom are employed but struggle to meet basic costs. Income limits for the program depend on family size, expenses, and whether households include elderly members or individuals with disabilities. The majority of participants are families with children, and more than one-third include older adults or those with disabilities.

According to the Department of Agriculture, nearly 16 million children received SNAP benefits in 2023, highlighting the program’s critical role in supporting vulnerable populations. As Yolo County continues to address the urgent needs of its residents, local organizations remain committed to ensuring food security and access to essential resources in these challenging times.