VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — Families in Ventura County are facing a tough battle as they struggle to put food on the table. Local leaders are warning about potential cuts to vital nutrition programs that could make challenges worse.
Food Share Ventura County has raised alarms about a proposed 90% cut to California’s CalFood funding. Coupled with expected reductions in federal SNAP benefits (known as CalFresh in California), this could put even more pressure on food resources. Longer lines and fewer supplies at local distributions could soon become the norm.
At a recent food distribution event at Oxnard College Park, the need was clear. Hundreds of cars waited for hours, with some families stuck in line for over four hours just to receive groceries.
Marisol Ambriz, a local strawberry picker, shared her heartbreaking story. “I sit in my car and cry. It’s sad,” she said. Despite helping to harvest food, she often struggles to afford enough for her family. “Sometimes my daughter asks for a hamburger, and I can’t get it,” she added.
Ambriz’s situation could worsen if the funding cuts go through. Currently, CalFood accounts for about 35% of Food Share’s food purchasing budget, supplying fresh produce and staples to over 200 partner agencies across the county.
“When demand goes up and resources shrink, something has to give,” said Monica White, president and CEO of Food Share. With expected cuts to SNAP benefits, even more families will be turning to food banks for help.
As White noted, “SNAP provides nine meals for every one meal that the food bank provides.” If that support dwindles, more families will seek assistance from Food Share.
The growing demand is already evident: Food Share distributes over 21 million pounds of food annually to over 250,000 people—a threefold increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of those seeking aid include working families, seniors, and individuals grappling with rising costs for housing, fuel, and everyday needs. “Everything is skyrocketing,” said Lupe Fernandez, a resident of Oxnard, who is supporting a family of six while recovering from a stroke. “It’s harder to provide.”
For some, these distributions are a lifeline. Yolanda Ybarra noted, “The best thing is just to come here and get what you can that’s free.” Antonio Amezcua mentioned that the groceries help his family save around $120 a month, allowing them to manage rising rent costs. “If rent increases, we can survive paying it,” he said.
Without restored funding, these vital supports may dwindle. Food banks across California are urging lawmakers to allocate $110 million to the CalFood program in the upcoming state budget. If funding isn’t restored, the consequences could be immediate: fewer distributions, reduced supplies, and more families left without assistance.
State officials are set to reassess the proposed cuts in the May budget revision. With rising numbers of people in need, the urgency for action is clear.
Experts suggest that addressing food insecurity requires a combination of support programs and community involvement. A recent report by the California Food Policy Advocates highlighted that every dollar invested in food assistance generates about $1.70 in economic activity—supporting local economies, jobs, and families. In a time of growing financial strain, these investments are more important than ever.
