Food Resources

  Food Resources and Miscellaneous Info

Food Programs in Los Angeles County come under a variety of different names and people calling in will request the service in various ways.  Refer these folks to their local Senior Center or Independent Living Center.
The following is a description of the programs and an overview of the CalFresh program, the new name for the Food Stamp program, administered by DPSS.
Meals On Wheels  Meals on Wheels is more of a descriptive term than a name, though many programs call themselves Meals-On-Wheels for the sake of understanding and recognition.  Can also be called Home Delivered Meals.  Programs using the name Meals-On-Wheels almost always deliver meals to the home, though some Meals-On-Wheels programs also have a congregate meal service arm as well.

Programs vary from community to community and program to program.  Many programs are at capacity and maintain a waiting list so it is best to inquire sooner than later.  Many programs are limited in their ability to provide services, so those that require services the most will be taken first.  This is especially true of meal delivery programs.  Generally, meals on wheels programs are for people 60 years old and older, but again, each agency has different requirements for eligibility that depends on the source of funding for the program.

Meal delivery programs are for those that have some kind of physical need.  They are not designed to take the place of every meal, offered only for the convenience of the client or their families, and availability depends upon the financial and volunteer resources of the local agency.  Only those with a need will be considered and this need may have to be verified.  

Congregate Meals are served at a location and in large group format.  Some programs have age restrictions, and some programs are less strict.  Congregate meals are set up through the Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging

Food Banks or Food Pantry or Brown Bag Programs are terms for the same thing:  A foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organization that distributes mostly donated food to a wide variety of agencies. Locations are varied, sometimes at a Senior or Community Center or at a local place of worship or faith based organization, like Jewish Family Services.

WIC ( Women, Infants, and Children) WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children.  WIC helps families by providing checks for buying healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors, nutrition education, and help finding healthcare and other community services.  Participants must meet income guidelines and be pregnant women, new mothers, infants or children under age five.  In California, 82 WIC agencies provide services locally to over 1.4 million women, infants and children each month at over 600 sites throughout the State. 

 WIC has local offices all over California. Call 1-888-WIC-WORKS (1-888-942-9675) 

Generally, WIC is available to: ·         low income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women ·         low income parent or guardian who is the sole provider of children under age five who are at nutritional risk and who are at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level

New Name for the Food Stamp Program

CalFresh was established to improve the nutrition of people in low-income households.  It does that by increasing their food-buying power, so they are able to purchase the amount of food their household needs.  CalFresh benefits are used instead of money at the grocery store.

CalFresh benefits are issued via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.  The name change is a result of a recent State law.

Changing the name and image of the Food Stamp Program aligns directly with the goals, objectives and strategies of promoting good nutrition for better living and better overall health by encouraging families to eat healthy by purchasing fresh food and obesity prevention.

Ultimately, the name "CalFresh" was chosen because it was described as representing a healthy lifestyle and a "fresh" new program.  The name is identifiable with "California," promotes California agriculture, and aligns with other program names.  The tagline in the logo, "Better Food for Better Living," moves families to proactively think about the kinds of food they purchase through the program and brings to mind the shift to purchasing healthy food with CalFresh benefits.

The name change will not affect your benefits.  The amount of benefits received with the Food Stamp Program will continue to be received with CalFresh.

There is no need to submit a new application to receive CalFresh benefits.  The information the consumer provided for the Food Stamp Program will continue to be used.  It may take some time for forms and other things to change to CalFresh.

Note: The federal name for the program will continue to be the "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" (SNAP).