LA County Food Resources

Food Assistance Programs & Food Resources

A. At-Risk After-school Meals

B. CalFresh (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP)

C. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

D. Congregate Nutrition Program (Congregate or Senior Meals)

E. Food Gleaning and Food Redistribution

F. Food Pantries

G. Head Start and Early Head Start

H. Home-Delivered Meals Program

I. Market Match

J. Meals on Wheels

K. School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program (School Meals)

L. Summer Meals Program

M. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

A. At-Risk After-school Meals
Known as the After-school Meal Program, it provides federal funding to after-school programs that serve a meal or snack to children and youth under age 18 in low-income areas.

The goal of the program is to provide healthy food to children and youth who may be struggling with hunger after school.

B. CalFresh (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP)
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is called CalFresh in California. The program helps eligible individuals and families buy healthy food and manage their food budget. 

The goal of CalFresh is to prevent hunger and malnutrition.

CalFresh benefits are given through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. Most grocery stores, corner stores and farmers' markets accept EBT.

Visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services for more information on CalFresh.

C. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
CACFP provides reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks to eligible children and older or disabled adults who are enrolled at participating CACFP sites. These sites include child care centers, adult day care centers, family day care homes, after-school care centers and emergency shelters.

The goal of CACFP is to provide healthy food that contributes to the growth and development of young children and the health and wellness of older and disabled adults. 

Visit the California Department of Education for more information on the child care and adult day care center components of CACFP.

D. Congregate Nutrition Program (Congregate or Senior Meals)
The program, referred to as Congregate or Senior Meals, is part of the Elderly Nutrition Program. It offers meals to mobile adults 60 years of age or older at meal sites, such as senior centers or parks. 

The goal of the program is to address the dietary needs of older adults and present opportunities for social engagement. 

The program is free but asks participants to donate between $1.75 to $5.00. per meal, if possible. 

E. Food Gleaning and Food Redistribution
Food gleaning refers to collecting extra or leftover food from farms, gardens, grocery stores, farmers' markets, restaurants and other food stores. 

Food redistribution refers to directly offering gleaned food to communities in need. Some organizations provide both food gleaning and food distribution services, while others may only provide one type of service. 

The goal of food gleaning and redistribution is to reduce food waste by feeding hungry people. 

F. Food Pantries
Food pantries provide free groceries to community members in need. They can be in community centers, places of worship (e.g. church, mosque or temple) and schools or college campuses. 

The goal of food pantries is to serve as an immediate food resource for those struggling with hunger.

Most have specific hours and days of operation. Make sure to confirm the time before arriving at the food pantry.

The type of food found in food pantries varies. They may include beans, breads, baked goods, canned or fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, pasta, and prepared or ready-to-eat foods.

G. Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start provides programs and services to improve school readiness of low-income children under age 5 by supporting parents; promoting nutrition and health; and developing early learning skills, such as language and literacy.

Some Head Starts offer Early Head Start, a program that promotes the development of low-income infants and toddlers while also supporting pregnant women, parents and caregivers. 

The goal of Head Start and Early Head Start is to promote the educational attainment of low-income children through supporting their physical, social, cognitive and emotional development.

Visit the Los Angeles County Office of Education for more information on Head Start and Early Head Start.

H. Home-Delivered Meals Program
The Home-Delivered Meals Program is a healthy meal delivery program for older adults who are homebound. The program is provided by the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging and Community Services. Older adults can have meals delivered to their home by volunteers if they cannot plan, shop or prepare meals for themselves due to illness, disability or advanced age.

The goal of the program is to provide nutritious meals to homebound older adults and opportunities for safety checks by volunteers, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

I. Market Match
Market Match is a program for people on CalFresh, formerly known as food stamps, to help them buy healthy food at farmers' markets.

The goal of Market Watch is to increase CalFresh recipients' access to healthy food.

For every $1 of CalFresh benefits, the program provides an additional $1 in Market Match tokens or vouchers that can be used to buy fruits and vegetables. Most farmers' markets match up to $10 or while supplies last. 

Visit Market Match to learn more about the program.

J. Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a meal delivery and food program for older adults, provided by community-based organizations. Older adults can have meals delivered to their homes by volunteers if they cannot plan, shop or prepare meals for themselves due to illness, disability or advanced age. The program also serves meals in the community, such as senior or community centers. 

The goal of Meals on Wheels is to provide nutritious meals to homebound older adults and opportunities for safety checks by volunteers, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

K. School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program (School Meals)
The School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program, collectively known as School Meals, offer eligible students free or reduced-priced breakfast and/or lunch, depending on the students' household income eligibility, at public and nonprofit private schools. 

The goal of School Meals is to reduce student hunger, which will improve academic performance and thinking skills. 

Visit the California Department of Education to learn more about School Meals and other school nutrition programs. 

L. Summer Meals Program
The Summer Meals provides free, healthy meals and snacks to children and teens during the summer months when school is not in session.

The goal of the Summer Meals Program is to reduce child hunger that may occur during the summer. Children and teens receive free food at sites that are safe and supervised. These include churches, community centers, libraries, parks and schools.

Most summer meal sites provide activities, such as nutrition education, physical activity and reading programs. 

Visit the California Department of Education for more information on Summer Meals Program.

M. Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
WIC provides eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and post-partum women, infants, and children up to age 5 with nutrition education, breastfeeding support, referrals to health care and community services and a WIC card to purchase healthy food.

The goal of WIC is to improve the health of low-income women and the growth and development of infants and children who are at nutritional risk.

The WIC Card can be used to buy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk, eggs, yogurt and other food items on the WIC approved list.

Caretakers, fathers, foster families and military families may be eligible for WIC, if they have a child under age 5.

Visit the California Department of Public Health for more information on WIC.