SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION

The indicator reports the number and percent of recipients of the CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the number and percent of recipients in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and children (WIC).1 As an indicator of poverty, the increase in children receiving these benefits is one that needs improvement. However, the increase may also be viewed as an improvement in that more eligible children are receiving these benefits.

Data shows that there is a relationship between a family’s food security and assurance of a healthy life. Households with food insecurity are more likely to experience reduced diet quality, anxiety about their food supply, increased use of emergency food sources or other coping behaviors and hunger. CalFresh and WIC programs provide nutrition assistance to people in low-income households by increasing their food buying power so they are able to purchase more nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. Income eligible children can receive both forms of nutrition assistance.

• In 2014/15, 19.9% (141,716) of children under 18 years old received CalFresh, a 191% increase in the number of children since 2005/2006 at 6.8%. Orange County had a lower rate than California at 24.7% (2,280,000) of children receiving CalFresh (SNAP).2

• In January 2016, the largest age group of CalFresh beneficiaries in Orange County were six to 12 year olds (43.8% or 61,526), followed by zero to five year olds (32.9% or 46,142) and 13 to 17 year olds (23.3% or 32,663).

• It is estimated that only 58.3% of persons in Orange County who are eligible for CalFresh are receiving that benefit, less than California at 63.4%.3

• In 2014/15, 78,856 participants were served by the WIC program, a decrease of 17.5% from 95,635 in 2005/06.

• In 2013, 60.2% of women and children eligible for WIC were receiving that benefit nationally, lower than California at 76%.4

Note: For the 2005/06 data point, CalFresh represent the 2005 calendar year. Data represents fiscal Year (July – June) monthly averages for CalFresh.