CFPA has released two new data briefs which indicate low-income households are struggling to afford food.
For other county data points, visit our nutrition profiles page.
For more on CalFresh, visit our
CalFresh page.
According to data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), more than 3.7 million California adults experienced food insecurity in 2009. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods.” The number of those struggling is up from 2.8 million low-income adults in 2007 – a thirty percent increase.
A two-page brief presents this new Food Insecurity by County in California PDF
County-specific press releases for some counties are available here:
The data are from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). More information on CHIS link
CHIS used the Food Security Measure. More information on the Food Security Measure link
CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps) has increased 93% statewide since 2006.
A two page brief on the increases in CalFresh Participation by County 2006-2011 PDF
The data were compiled from CalFresh participation reports collected each month by the California Department of Social Services. Source data link
The state's CalFresh page link
For more on CalFresh policy advocacy link