Food Insecuity

WhatMatters

When California’s public workers go on strike

While much of the attention of “hot labor summer” has been focused on workers in the private sector — such as hotel workers, delivery drivers and Hollywood screenwriters — employees in the public sector are also demanding better pay and working conditions. On Tuesday, thousands of city workers across Los Angeles, including staff at LAX […]

By Lynn La • August 10, 2023

California Divide

Just what the doctor ordered: In California, a prescription could pay for your fresh fruits and veggies

Medi-Cal and other programs are testing food prescriptions that advocates say could improve chronic conditions, lower health care costs and reduce hunger.

By Rya Jetha • August 9, 2023

Explainers

How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state

How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.

By Rya Jetha, Jeanne Kuang and Jeremia Kimelman • August 8, 2023

WhatMatters

Does California provide enough food aid for the hungry?

“A catastrophic hunger crisis.” That’s the dire warning from the California Association of Food Banks, after federal pandemic food aid ended earlier this spring.  But why does a state with so much food — California produces nearly half the country’s fruits and vegetables — and that spends so much on food aid have so many […]

By Lynn La • August 8, 2023

WhatMatters

Why Juneteenth isn’t a full California state holiday

In 2021, President Biden recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday and the state of California followed suit last year. But many state workers were on the job Monday, and the Legislature was in session. So what gives? The answer, in short, is that Juneteenth is not one of the 11 paid holidays that all state […]

By Lynn La • June 20, 2023

Politics

How fresh will CalFresh be? Food benefits on the table in state budget talks

A popular program doubles CalFresh benefits to buy fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets. It is among the California food benefit programs on the table in the budget negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Newsom.

By Rya Jetha • June 19, 2023

California Divide

A catastrophic hunger crisis? California food banks are being flooded by families seeking help

As extra pandemic benefits end, food banks say that they're becoming long-term supermarkets for Californians facing food insecurity. Several bills to boost CalFresh are before the Legislature, but the state budget deficit may get in the way.

By Rya Jetha • June 9, 2023

California Divide

‘No light at the other end’: Impending loss of pandemic CalFresh boosts could trigger hunger spike

For nearly three years, an increase in federal aid has allowed California to issue higher-than-usual amounts in food stamps. That ends in April.

By Jeanne Kuang • February 9, 2023

California Divide

Thieves drain millions off CalFresh and CalWORKs recipients’ cards, families wait and taxpayers pay

The EBT cards the state uses to deliver financial assistance to low-income residents lack security features common to credit and debit cards. California officials plan to upgrade. Meanwhile, they're paying millions to replace stolen money and food stamps.

By Jeanne Kuang • January 30, 2023

California Divide

Food banks say people are still in need, but aid is waning

By Genesis Chavez-Caro • June 30, 2021