Board of Supervisors allocates up to $1 million to Redwood Empire Food Bank amid CalFresh disruption

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved up to $1 million in emergency support to help Redwood Empire Food Bank feed people affected by the disruption of CalFresh benefits during the federal government shutdown.

The funding will enable Redwood Empire Food Bank to expand food distribution through the end of January for Sonoma County residents experiencing reduced or delayed CalFresh benefits.

“Thousands of Sonoma County families rely on CalFresh to put food on the table,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By allocating funds to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the County is ensuring families have access to healthy food and no one in our community goes hungry while waiting for federal benefits to resume.”

The Board’s action authorizes the County Executive to provide up to $1 million to Redwood Empire Food Bank using General Fund contingencies. The temporary aid is intended to help offset an anticipated 20 to 40 percent increase in households seeking assistance and to purchase additional protein and other culturally responsive foods for local families.

The Board of Supervisors will consider declaring a local emergency on Dec. 9 to organize the County’s response to projected community impacts resulting from enacted federal policies. Supervisors also directed staff to coordinate with philanthropic partners to address immediate food security needs. 

Nearly 43,000 Sonoma County residents receive more than $8.2 million every month through CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The program helps low-income households buy nutritious food using an Electronic Benefit Transfer card accepted at grocery stores, farmers markets and online retailers. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture halted SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, citing the federal government shutdown. Although two federal judges have ruled that the suspension is unlawful, it remains unclear when the USDA will comply with the court orders. As a result, the timing and amount of CalFresh payments for Sonoma County residents remain uncertain.

“This support from the County comes at a critical moment for thousands of local families,” said Allison Goodwin, chief executive officer of the Redwood Empire Food Bank. “The federal shutdown has created an unexpected gap for people who rely on CalFresh. These funds will help us alleviate hunger in our community and keep nutritious food flowing where it’s needed the most.” 

Founded in 1987, Redwood Empire Food Bank serves more than 142,000 children, families and seniors across Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Through more than 300 direct service distributions and partnerships with 130 community organizations, the Santa Rosa-based nonprofit ensures residents have regular access to nutritious food throughout the region. 

People in need of immediate food support can find local distribution sites at getfood.refb.org or by texting “FOOD” to (707) 353-3882. A list of local food pantries is available on the County’s Open Doors website at opendoorssc.com/findfood or by calling 2-1-1.

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Media Contact: 
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist 
publicaffairs@sonomacounty.gov 
(707) 565-3040  575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A 
Santa Rosa, CA 95403