Food Security
Access to Healthy Food is in Jeopardy
Grocery costs are rising. Federal changes could also cause tens of thousands of San Diegans to lose food benefits. Learn who could be affected and what Measure B would fund.
Why Is Access to Food Assistance at Risk?
New federal work requirements could make it harder for some San Diegans to keep CalFresh benefits. The changes would also create more work for county staff who review applications and renewals.
The Issue at a Glance
Many families across San Diego County struggle to afford enough food as grocery prices rise.
In 2024, about 1 in 4 county residents were estimated to lack consistent access to enough nutritious food.
More than 400,000 San Diegans use CalFresh, California’s version of the federal SNAP food assistance program. New federal rules are expected to require more reviews and reporting.
The changes could mean more paperwork for people who use CalFresh and more work for county staff. Tens of thousands of people could lose benefits because they no longer qualify or are unable to meet a required step or deadline.
The county estimates it could need about $30 million each year to handle the added CalFresh work under the new federal rules.
San Diegans who use CalFresh to help pay for food.
Tens of Thousands
People who could lose food benefits under the new federal rules.
1 in 4
San Diego County residents estimated to experience nutrition insecurity in 2024.
Families Managing Rising Costs
CalFresh helps families buy groceries when money is tight. Losing benefits can force families to choose between food, housing, healthcare, transportation and other basic needs.
Children, Older Adults & People with Disabilities
Having enough nutritious food supports health, growth and well-being. Federal changes to household eligibility or paperwork can affect a family’s food benefits.
County Services & Community Organizations
New rules require more county staff, technology and time to review cases. If people lose benefits or face delays, food banks and other local nonprofits may see more people asking for help.
Understanding Food Security in San Diego
CalFresh, Rule Changes and County Services
CalFresh Nutrition Assistance
Funding to help people keep access to CalFresh and other food assistance programs listed in Measure B.
Eligibility and Enrollment Support
County staff and systems to review applications, check who qualifies and help eligible residents keep their benefits.
Nutrition Programs
Support for food assistance programs that help San Diegans afford nutritious food.
Program Administration
Staff, technology and other tools needed to manage food assistance programs under the new federal rules.
Voter Considerations
Voters may think about questions like these:
- What role should the county and community groups play in helping people afford food?
- Is a county sales tax the right way to pay for food assistance?
- How should federal and local governments share responsibility?
- How much funding should go to county staff compared with direct food assistance?
- How should the county determine whether people can get and keep food benefits?
FAQs
CalFresh is California’s version of SNAP, the federal food program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). It gives monthly food benefits to people who qualify. The amount depends on factors such as income, household size and federal and state rules.
New federal rules require some CalFresh users to report more information about work and go through more reviews. The exact rules depend on the household. These changes can mean more steps for residents and more work for county staff.
People may need to turn in forms, provide documents or respond by a deadline. Someone who misses a notice or cannot complete a required step on time could lose benefits even if they might otherwise qualify.
The county reviews CalFresh applications and renewals and checks who qualifies. New federal rules could create more work. Without enough staff and systems, applications may take longer and some eligible residents could face delays in benefits.
It could support both. Measure B could fund CalFresh and other food assistance, as well as county staff who review who qualifies.
Measure B could fund CalFresh, county staff who review eligibility and other food assistance programs listed in the measure. No more than 7% of total Measure B revenue could go to CalFresh nutrition assistance. No more than two-thirds of that may go to eligibility staffing.
No. Federal and state rules decide who qualifies for CalFresh. Measure B would not change those rules. It would provide local funding for food programs and county staff, but people would still need to qualify and complete required steps.
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