SNAP Benefits Halted, Nonprofit Vouchers Step In for Sacramento Families

Food assistance programs through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and California’s CalFresh were suddenly cut off amid the ongoing government shutdown, impacting more than 270,000 people in the Sacramento region.The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Nov. 1 that funds have “run dry.”Benjamin Brumer, who works with Market Match — a nonprofit that helps SNAP and CalFresh recipients stretch their food dollars — said the impact has been immediate.“People’s benefits have gone down, they’ve reached near zero now. And this is a lifeline,” Brumer said. “Without SNAP, without CalFresh, and without our booth — it hurts. It hurts the customers who rely on it, and it hurts the farmers who sell their produce here.”Market Match provides vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables, offering up to $15 in matching funds. Customers can withdraw money from their EBT cards and receive an additional $15 to spend on produce. Recipients can visit market information booths for tokens or paper vouchers redeemable for CalFresh-eligible food items.“At some of our busiest markets, it could even reach 600 people,” Brumer added.One CalFresh recipient said the extra support made a real difference.“Always good to have some extra when you don’t have anything,” they said, adding that the holidays will be especially tough. “It’s going to be a hard time for the holidays. A lot of families and kids will be out of school.”Market Match has an interactive map where individuals can find a nearest booth near them to use for EBT purchases

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Food assistance programs through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and California’s CalFresh were suddenly cut off amid the ongoing government shutdown, impacting more than 270,000 people in the Sacramento region.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Nov. 1 that funds have “run dry.”

Benjamin Brumer, who works with Market Match — a nonprofit that helps SNAP and CalFresh recipients stretch their food dollars — said the impact has been immediate.

“People’s benefits have gone down, they’ve reached near zero now. And this is a lifeline,” Brumer said. “Without SNAP, without CalFresh, and without our booth — it hurts. It hurts the customers who rely on it, and it hurts the farmers who sell their produce here.”

Market Match provides vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables, offering up to $15 in matching funds. Customers can withdraw money from their EBT cards and receive an additional $15 to spend on produce. Recipients can visit market information booths for tokens or paper vouchers redeemable for CalFresh-eligible food items.

“At some of our busiest markets, it could even reach 600 people,” Brumer added.

One CalFresh recipient said the extra support made a real difference.

“Always good to have some extra when you don’t have anything,” they said, adding that the holidays will be especially tough. “It’s going to be a hard time for the holidays. A lot of families and kids will be out of school.”

Market Match has an interactive map where individuals can find a nearest booth near them to use for EBT purchases