Los Angeles County is bracing for a food emergency created by the protracted federal government shutdown that turns off the spigot on food aid to 1.5 million eligible county residents beginning Saturday, Nov. 1.
The shutdown in its 27th day will halt the federal food stamp program, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, funneled through the state and counties as CalFresh, which provides low-income households with monthly benefits to buy groceries.
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, the Board of Supervisors heard reports that the county has been bolstering food pantries, adding food giveaway sites, while granting the L.A. Regional Food Bank $10 million to expand its food purchasing capacity to offset the federal cessation of the program.
LA CARE, the county’s healthcare plan for low-income residents, is adding $5 million to pay for and distribute grocery gift cards at its community resource centers. Also, the Department of Public Social Services is kicking in $2 million to help families in need. In addition, the county is placing drop boxes throughout county offices to encourage employees to donate food items to the L.A. food bank.
County recipients stand to lose $320 million per month of CalFresh cash benefits, which would equal $640 million for November and December, should the shutdown continue.
While saying the county can’t backfill $320 million per month, Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn said the county contributions to food banks and agreements with 600 partners such as food pantries and other nonprofits will help ease the crisis for SNAP recipients. The county is working through social media and texts sent directly to CalFresh participants’ phones about where to receive free food.
“I really appreciate the county meeting this moment,” Hahn said. “We have some real resources that are going to help lessen the pain from the SNAP shutoff.”
The county asked why the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declined to use about $6 billion in emergency, contingency funds to pay for the SNAP benefits next month. By not using the reserve funds, it leaves 42 million Americans without food assistance needed for survival. The USDA said the contingency funds cannot be used to fill in the program gap during the government shutdown.
“The federal government has a $5 billion SNAP reserve and they are choosing not to use it. That is inhumane,” said Second District Supervisor Holly Mitchell. “Withholding food from people who earn so little they qualify for a food subsidy is inhumane.”
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta said California is joining 20 other states in suing the Trump administration over its refusal to use the reserve funds to plug the hole in SNAP benefits from the government shutdown.
“While Donald Trump parades around the world trying to repair the economic damage he’s done with his incompetence, he’s denying food to millions of Americans who will go hungry next month,” Newsom said. “It’s cruel and speaks to his basic lack of humanity.” The governor has ordered the California National Guard to pack and distribute meals to those in need due to the stoppage of SNAP, which affects 5.5 million California residents.
(photo courtesy of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office)
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins blamed Democrats in Congress for blocking continual resolution bills that would reopen the government for a short period of time. Most of the Senate Democrats have refused to vote yes on reopening the government unless Republicans include an extension of tax credits for the Affordable Care Act health insurance plans.
“The real crisis will begin when hard working L.A. County residents see their health care premiums double. That is going to be the bad time,” Hahn said.
Last week, L.A. County was concerned about the stoppage of the CalWORKs program, also federally funded, that helps low-income families with at least one child pay for rent, housing, food, clothing, utilities and doctor’s bills. But that program will continue through December, announced Joe Nicchitta, acting chief executive officer.
The federal childcare program, Head Start, also is not affected by the shutdown, said Carrie Miller, a senior manager within L.A. County’s CEO’s Office. “Head Start funding is secured through June 2026,” she said. “There’s no immediate impact to most subsidized childcare programs.”
Miller also has put out the word to faith-based institutions to start up their holiday giving campaigns much earlier this year. “Because people need the help now,” she said. She said churches, synagogues and mosques can give food or cash donations to food banks or food pantries. Also, as more ramp up, they will need additional volunteers to staff additional giveaway sites, she said.
First District Supervisor Hilda Solis worried that people in her district, from East L.A. for example, will not go to collect food for fear that Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents will be there to arrest them.
“Many are afraid because of the pending raids,” Solis said. “They don’t want to be in line or sit in a car.” She asked the county to funnel food and/or grocery cards through faith-based organizations, so as not to create a line or an obvious distribution point.
Brandon Nichols, who heads the county’s Department of Children and Family Services, said his employees will distribute grocery gift cards to foster care families.
“I hope we can get the word out beyond our county family, to help those who need us the most,” said Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
To learn more about county, nonprofit and other food giveaway services and locations, as well as how to donate, call 2-1-1. Or, visit: lafoodbank.org/findfood.