More than 15 public programs aim to ensure that all Californians can access nutritious food.
- In early 2023, 4.2 million households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition programs—CalFresh, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and school meals—according to the California Poverty Measure (CPM). Smaller programs support nutritional assistance provided by care facilities for young children and older adults, food banks, and other settings.
- Although many participate in one or more program, about one in ten (1.5 million) California households lack the resources to meet their food needs—a rate of food insecurity that is slightly lower than the national rate.
- Food insecurity is experienced by disproportionate shares of Latino households (47% vs. 30% of the population overall) and households with children (42% vs. 30% overall).