Food for People, Inc. The Food Bank for Humboldt County 307 W. 14th St.

Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 445-3166 (707) 445-5946 fax www.foodforpeople.org CalFresh Challenge Fact Sheet CalFresh, formerly the Food Stamp Program and known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), makes a difference in the lives of millions of Americans across the country, alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. The CalFresh Challenge gives participants a view of what life can be like for a large proportion of low-income Humboldt County households, in addition to millions of other low-income Americans. It started in 2007 when four members of Congress decided to live for one week on an average food stamp budget of several dollars a day. The goal is to continue to raise awareness and understanding around the challenges faced by low-income Humboldt County households and millions of Americans receiving CalFresh/SNAP benefits. Food for People invites the community to participate in the CalFresh Challenge as one of many Hunger Action Month activities. Most participants take the Challenge for one week, eating on the average daily CalFresh benefit (about $4.90 per person per day). Challenge participants find they have to make difficult food shopping choices, and often realize how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy. After paying for living expenses and health care costs, many low-income households have little or no money remaining to spend on food. Thanks to CalFresh there is help, though it is still a struggle to afford enough to eat throughout the month. CalFresh Challenge participants will be limited to a food budget of $34.30 for the week of September 9th through September 15th. CalFresh Challenge guidelines and resources are available at www.calfreshchallengesd.wordpress.com. For more information about the CalFresh Challenge locally, contact Heidi McHugh at (707) 445-3166 ext. 308 or via email at hmchugh@foodforpeople.org. Key Facts about Hunger and CalFresh Nearly 1 in 5 Americans struggled with food hardship in the first six months of 2012. (Source: Gallup Poll) SNAP now serves 1 in 7 Americans and nearly 1 in 4 children. 3.9 million Americans, including 1.7 million children, were lifted above the poverty line with the addition of SNAP benefits in 2010. (Source: Census Bureau) In 2010, 76% of SNAP households included a child, an elderly person, or disabled non-elderly person. (source: USDA Food & Nutrition Services) In a 2009 statewide survey conducted by UCLA, 3,800,000 California adults reported struggling with food insecurity. Key Facts about Hunger and CalFresh in Humboldt County The California Center for Rural Policys Community Food Assessment estimates that 31.1% of low-income adults experience food insecurity in Humboldt County. The majority live on fixed incomes or are surviving paycheck to paycheck. More than 15,000 Humboldt County residents participate in CalFresh, 40% of whom are children.

Why Increase CalFresh Participation? CalFresh Creates a Healthier Humboldt. It increases the purchasing power of low-income households, helping families to better afford to incorporate more nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables, into their diets. CalFresh Supports the Local Economy. In Humboldt County, more than 15,000 residents use their EBT debit cards to spend $2 million CalFresh dollars monthly at local grocery stores and farmers markets. All North Coast Growers Association farmers markets in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville accept CalFresh, in addition to farmers markets in Fortuna and Garberville. Anyone with an EBT card can visit the market managers table and use the card to purchase wooden tokens that are used to pay farmers directly. This season, the Humboldt Market Match program is available at all of the above mentioned farmers markets and provides free bonus tokens to CalFresh shoppers. Grow Your Garden with EBT. CalFresh can also be used to purchase seeds and plants that produce food. Utilizing CalFresh to start a garden is an economical way to get ones hands on the health benefits of fresh, local produce throughout the season. These are available at farmers markets and many local grocery stores. Who Is Eligible for CalFresh? CalFresh is guaranteed as a right to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements. Any U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident can apply. It is also safe to apply for ones children born in the United States, even if parents are ineligible. Eligibility includes meeting the income guidelines, which vary depending on household size.

Myths and Misunderstandings One reason why eligible households do not participate in CalFresh is they simply do not know they are eligible. The program helps to boost the food budgets of both working and unemployed households and those on fixed incomes such as Social Security. By participating in the program one is not taking benefits that could otherwise be given to someone else. CalFresh benefits are guaranteed by the government to all who are eligible. New rules have changed and improved access to the program over the years, thus folks who were ineligible in the past may now be eligible. Since February 2011, the resources (such as money in bank accounts) of all households are exempt when determining eligibility. Families will no longer be ineligible due to having money saved in the bank, which is especially important for newly unemployed households and those saving money for crucial expenses. This major change to CalFresh in California helps many new households qualify. Owning one or more cars does not make one ineligible for the program, nor does owning ones home or having retirement (IRAs, 401K, pension) or education accounts (529s). Finger imaging is no longer required in order to receive CalFresh benefits. For more information on CalFresh or the CalFresh Challenge, contact Food for People: Heidi McHugh, Community Education & Outreach Coordinator: (707) 445-3166 ext. 308 hmchugh@foodforpeople.org To find out how to apply for CalFresh, contact:
Food for People:
(707) 445-3166 307 W. 14th Street Eureka, CA 95501 www.foodforpeople.org

Department of Health & Human Services:

Eureka: (707) 269-3590 929 Koster St. Eureka, CA 95501 Hoopa: (530) 625-4251 1200 Airport Rd. Hoopa, CA 95546 Garberville: (707) 923-2759 727 Cedar St. Garberville, CA 95542

Apply Online At:

www.c4yourself.com