Nelson Esparza speaks at a city hall news conference in October 2023.

As the federal government shutdown halts food assistance programs effective Nov. 1, Central Valley leaders are stepping up to keep families fed.

Councilmember’s pledge

Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza announced a $50,000 donation from his office’s budget to the Central California Food Bank (CCFB) on Thursday, pledging his support for low-income families.

“No family should have to scrape by or wonder when their next meal will be,” Esparza said in a statement. “If the federal safety net falters, we have an obligation to strengthen our local apparatus.”

Esparza’s donation will support up to 200,000 meals for Fresno County families, marking the first of several planned relief efforts from the councilmember’s office.

Rep. Jim Costa held a press conference Friday at CCFB, urging Valley leaders to unite after the halting of funds. Nearly 30% of Costa’s district relies on the program, he said. Prior to the press conference, Costa’s team met with local partners to help coordinate food aid and fill the gap left by the federal lapse.

Save Mart affordability

Modesto-based grocer The Save Mart Companies also launched its “Right By You” affordability initiative, aiming to ease the strain on families facing inflation and aid cuts.

The campaign, which runs through 2025, includes half-off meat and produce sales events, holiday meals for $6 per person, free grocery delivery in November and a DoorDash partnership providing no-fee delivery for SNAP recipients.

Shoppers can also donate at checkout to support local food banks through the “Friends Feeding Friends” campaign.

Food insecurity rises

According to the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH), 46% of low-income adults in the county received food stamp benefits as of December 2024, up from 39.6% in 2020.

Among adults at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, participation rates in programs are highest among Black/African American, non-Hispanic residents (99.4%), followed by Hispanic adults (57.3%) and white adults (36.9%).

The data also shows that 50.8% of adults ages 25 to 44 and 49.4% of seniors 65-plus receive benefits.

Statewide, 32.4% of low-income adults receive food stamps, according to the FCDPH. Fresno County’s rates remain among the highest in the state.

The data suggests food insecurity has risen across all age and racial groups since the pandemic, a warning that the loss of federal assistance could push even more families into crisis.

Judges’ order

Two federal judges Friday ruled that SNAP payments must be continued during the shutdown.

The judges, presiding in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, provided the administration some leeway on whether the funding could be funded partially or in full in November, and requested that the administration make a decision by Monday.

Additionally, Rhode Island U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell ruled that previous work requirement waivers must be honored. Waivers for older adults, veterans and others were terminated by the USDA during the shutdown.

The Associated Press reported that the judges’ rulings are likely to face appeals.