CalFresh seeing record-high enrollment

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — California’s federal food assistance program, known as CalFresh, is seeing record-high numbers this summer.

“It’s truly the cost of living in San Diego and inflation,” said Serene Jneid-Ruparelia, Feeding San Diego services assistant manager.

The program makes healthy food available to eligible families by providing a financial supplement that can be used to buy fresh produce at authorized stores.

As of June 1, almost 400,000 people are enrolled in CalFresh, a nearly 6% increase from a year ago. 

However, sometimes that supplemental income isn’t enough and those who need it don’t qualify.

“From what I see, I think there is a gap that CalFresh is saying ‘hey you make too much money’ but that’s still not enough money in San Diego with their family,” said Jneid-Ruparelia.

Making too much to receive government benefits but not enough to live; this is the problem many San Diegans are facing and they’re increasingly turning to the Feeding San Diego marketplace.

“The marketplace is a completely separate entity but we’re also a really great resource for neighbors who are in need of food assistance,” said Jneid-Ruparelia.

CalFresh operates alongside other federal and local programs, like Sun Bucks, to ensure food needs are being met throughout the community.

Sun Bucks helps families with school-aged children get through the summer months by giving them $120 for the summer, but is that really enough to feed a child?

“With this day and age with the prices increasing. and we’ve all seen the cost of groceries increase, I can imagine it helps,” said Sam Duke, Feeding San Diego director of programs.

But Duke says it likely doesn’t completely cover the cost.

And then there’s the hurdle of getting to these food distribution sites.

“On our website, feedingsandiego.org, we have a find food map and that map you can put your zip code in and the distance you want to travel,” Duke explained. “And then it’ll narrow in on that zip code.”

The online tool shows all their partners within the closest neighborhood, allowing shoppers to stay close to home and save on travel costs.