Life’s changes should never create a situation where obtaining food is not an option. You could be a new mom, a senior citizen, or be experiencing a sudden work change. Programs in California and the US are in place to lend a helping hand. While Mother’s Nutritional Center specializes in eWIC families, by no means is it the only food assistance program we are familiar with. What follows is a list of food assistance programs that may serve your needs. Take a look and find out how many of these programs can supplement your daily food needs. It’s our hope that you can find options for you and your family should the need arise.

Student Food Programs

 

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946. 

Schools send school meal applications home at the beginning of each school year. However, you may apply for school meals at any time during the school year by submitting an application directly to your school or district. Learn More

 

SUN Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids

SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child when school is out for summer. SUN Bucks can be used to purchase food from authorized retailers in participating states, Tribes, and territories. It may also be known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (or Summer EBT) in certain locations. 

Children can receive SUN Bucks on top of other benefits like SNAP and WIC, and in addition to free SUN Meals from local meal sites or SUN Meals To-Go in eligible rural communities. Learn More

Summer Meals and Snacks for Kids 

Through SUN Meals, kids of all ages can eat meals and snacks during the summer at no cost at schools, parks, and other neighborhood locations. SUN Meals may have a different name where you live, but the benefits are the same: nutritious meals for kids and teens in the summer when school is out. 

Every child aged 18 and under can enjoy SUN Meals, some rural communities now offer SUN  Meals To-Go, and eligible school-age children can also receive SUN Bucks. Learn More

Summer Meals To-Go

If you live in a rural community where SUN Meals are hard to access, you may be able to get meals via pick-up or delivery through SUN Meals To-Go. 

SUN Meals To-Go may have a different name where you live, but the benefit is the same: nutritious meals for kids and teens. 

Find on-site and to-go summer meals: Summer Meals Site Finder

Family Food Assistance

 

CalFresh (SNAP)

CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income and provides economic benefits to communities. CalFresh is the largest food program in California and provides an essential hunger safety net. CalFresh is federally mandated and in California, is state-supervised and county-operated.

CalFresh benefits can help buy nutritious foods for a better diet. CalFresh benefits stretch food budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious food, including more fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods. The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on household size, countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities. The program issues monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Food may be purchased at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT cards. Learn More

 

CalWORKS

CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible California families in need. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments. 

If a family is in need, CalWORKs may be able to help with housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses. Learn More

 

California Food Banks

California Food Banks represents 43 food banks dedicated to providing essential nourishment to Californians in need. Food banks work with their local communities to ensure that everyone has access to healthful foods. They solicit, receive, store, and distribute fresh produce and pantry staples. They help people get connected to other essential benefits and serve as community hubs for volunteers.

Find a Food Bank

 

USDA National Hunger Hotline

Hunger Free America operates the National Hunger Hotline. The hotline is a resource for individuals and families seeking information on how to obtain food. The National Hunger Hotline staff connects callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance programs, and various social services. Learn More

 

The Salvation Army

Through food pantries, community gardens, and feeding programs, The Salvation Army addresses the national food insecurity crisis by providing nutritious meals to anyone in need. Learn More

 

Emergency Food Assistance Program

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a variety of nutritious, high-quality USDA Foods, and makes those foods available to State Distributing Agencies. Learn More

Feeding America Backpack Program

For more than 15 years, the Feeding America Backpack Program has been helping children get the nutritious and easy-to-prep food they need to get enough to eat on the weekends. Today, bags of food are assembled at more than 160 local food banks and then distributed to more than 450,000 children at the end of the week. Learn More

 

Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in after-school care programs, children residing in emergency shelters, and adults over the age of 60 or living with disability and enrolled in day care facilities. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and adults in the United States. Learn More

 

Senior Food Assistance

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. USDA distributes both food and administrative funds to participating states and Indian tribal Organizations to operate CSFP. Learn More

 

Elderly Nutrition Program

The Aging & Disabilities runs the Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) under the Older Americans Act. This program provides home-delivered meals and group meals to help older adults stay independent. It aims to reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition (poor nutrition/imbalanced diet), while also promoting social interaction and improving overall health and well-being. Meals provided through ENP meet nutrition standards and offer at least one-third of the recommended daily nutrients. Learn More