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.

Children Food Assistance

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic


NEW!!! Pandemic EBT Card
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits help families in California buy food when schools are closed because of the coronavirus emergency.

Families will get up to $365 per eligible child on their P-EBT card to use on food and groceries.

Families with children who get CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply. Most will get their P-EBT card in the mail during the month of May. P-EBT cards will begin arriving around May 12, 2020. New registrations are being accepted until June 20, 2020.

Click for More Info: https://capandemic-ebt.org/


Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program
The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits. These coupons can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers’ markets or roadside stands that have been approved by the state agency to accept FMNP coupons.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program


National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private 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 any time during the school year by submitting an application directly to your school or district.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp


School Breakfast Program
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides reimbursement to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the SBP at the federal level. State education agencies administer the SBP at the state level, and local school food authorities operate the program in schools.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program


Summer Food Service Program 
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas.

  • Find local meals: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks
  • The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices.

Click for More Info: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sf/sfspinfo.asp


Special Milk Program
The California Special Milk Program is a Federally funded program which assists schools and other agencies in providing milk to children at reasonable prices. For children, the Special Milk Program provides a nutritious beverage, rich in calcium and vitamins A and D, which aids in the development of strong bones and teeth. For parents, the program provides a low cost, convenient method of ensuring that their children receive a healthy and delicious beverage when they are away from home. Schools benefit by helping their students take at least one step in a direction that can enhance academic performance and good nutrition.

Click for More Info: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sf/sfspinfo.asp


Feeding America Backpack Program
For more than 15 years, the Feeding America Backpack Program has been helping children get the nutritious and easy-to-prepare 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/hunger-relief-programs/backpack-program


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 a 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp

 

Family/Adult Food Assistance

CalFresh – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (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.

Click for More Info: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh


Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (CalWORKs)
 CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments. If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, it 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calworks


California Association of Food Banks
California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) is a membership organization of 41 food banks from throughout the state with a shared mission to end hunger in California and a firm commitment to providing cutting-edge leadership in the anti-hunger community.

Click for More Info: http://www.cafoodbanks.org/


USDA National Hunger Hotline
For over two years, Hunger Free AmericaTM has been operating the USDA 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org/about/our-work/usda-national-hunger-hotline


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.

Click for More Info: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/cure-hunger/

Senior Citizen Food Assistance

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) purchases a variety of nutritious, high-quality USDA Foods, and makes those foods available to State Distributing Agencies.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tefap/tefap-fact-sheet

 

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. 

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/commodity-supplemental-food-program


Congregate/Elderly Nutrition Program
Congregate Meals meeting USDA dietary guidelines are offered to mobile older adults at meal sites such as senior centers or parks throughout Los Angeles County. The meals are provided by contracted service providers. In many cases, these lunches provide the only social outlet for those in attendance and an avenue where valuable relationships are formed. Though not required, a donation ranging between $1.75 – $3.00 per meal is appreciated.

California Job Benefits

Unemployment Insurance
The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program pays benefits to workers who have lost their job and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you may file a UI claim. After you have filed a claim, you must continue to certify for benefits and meet eligibility requirements each week in order to receive benefit payments.

Click for More Info: https://edd.ca.gov/

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.

Children Food Assistance

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

 

NEW!!! Pandemic EBT Card
Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits help families in California buy food when schools are closed because of the coronavirus emergency.

Families will get up to $365 per eligible child on their P-EBT card to use on food and groceries.

Families with children who get CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply. Most will get their P-EBT card in the mail during the month of May. P-EBT cards will begin arriving around May 12, 2020. New registrations are being accepted until June 20, 2020.

Click for More Info: https://capandemic-ebt.org/


Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program
The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits. These coupons can be used to buy eligible foods from farmers, farmers’ markets or roadside stands that have been approved by the state agency to accept FMNP coupons.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program


National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private 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 any time during the school year by submitting an application directly to your school or district.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp


School Breakfast Program
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides reimbursement to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the SBP at the federal level. State education agencies administer the SBP at the state level, and local school food authorities operate the program in schools.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program


Summer Food Service Program 
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas.

  • Find local meals: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks
  • The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices.

Click for More Info: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sf/sfspinfo.asp


Special Milk Program
The California Special Milk Program is a Federally funded program which assists schools and other agencies in providing milk to children at reasonable prices. For children, the Special Milk Program provides a nutritious beverage, rich in calcium and vitamins A and D, which aids in the development of strong bones and teeth. For parents, the program provides a low cost, convenient method of ensuring that their children receive a healthy and delicious beverage when they are away from home. Schools benefit by helping their students take at least one step in a direction that can enhance academic performance and good nutrition.

Click for More Info: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sf/sfspinfo.asp


Feeding America Backpack Program
For more than 15 years, the Feeding America Backpack Program has been helping children get the nutritious and easy-to-prepare 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/hunger-relief-programs/backpack-program


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 a 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp

 

Family/Adult Food Assistance

CalFresh – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (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.

Click for More Info: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh


Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (CalWORKs)
 CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments. If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, it 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calworks


California Association of Food Banks
California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) is a membership organization of 41 food banks from throughout the state with a shared mission to end hunger in California and a firm commitment to providing cutting-edge leadership in the anti-hunger community.

Click for More Info: http://www.cafoodbanks.org/


USDA National Hunger Hotline
For over two years, Hunger Free AmericaTM has been operating the USDA 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.

Click for More Info: https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org/about/our-work/usda-national-hunger-hotline


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.

Click for More Info: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/cure-hunger/

Senior Citizen Food Assistance

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) purchases a variety of nutritious, high-quality USDA Foods, and makes those foods available to State Distributing Agencies.

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tefap/tefap-fact-sheet

 

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. 

Click for More Info: https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/commodity-supplemental-food-program


Congregate/Elderly Nutrition Program
Congregate Meals meeting USDA dietary guidelines are offered to mobile older adults at meal sites such as senior centers or parks throughout Los Angeles County. The meals are provided by contracted service providers. In many cases, these lunches provide the only social outlet for those in attendance and an avenue where valuable relationships are formed. Though not required, a donation ranging between $1.75 – $3.00 per meal is appreciated.

California Job Benefits

Unemployment Insurance
The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program pays benefits to workers who have lost their job and meet the program’s eligibility requirements. If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you may file a UI claim. After you have filed a claim, you must continue to certify for benefits and meet eligibility requirements each week in order to receive benefit payments.

Click for More Info: https://edd.ca.gov/