BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Thousands of Kern County families who rely on CalFresh could soon face tougher choices at the grocery store as new federal work requirements take effect.
Starting June 1, 2026, most CalFresh recipients ages 18 to 64 who are Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) must work, attend job training or school, or complete approved volunteer or community service activities for at least 20 hours a week to keep benefits beyond a three-month period within a 36-month timeframe.
Kern County Department of Human Services said some people may be excused from the ABAWD work requirement, including those under 18 or over 64; parents or those responsible for a dependent child under 14 in their CalFresh household; people excused from general CalFresh work requirements; those unable to work at least 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month because of a physical or mental health issue; people unable to work due to drug or alcohol addiction, domestic violence or chronic homelessness when tied to a physical or mental health issue; pregnant people; those who identify as an Indian, Urban Indian or California Indian under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; and those participating in an Office of Refugee Resettlement training program at least half-time.
Kern County Department of Human Services said the changes align with updated federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) guidelines and may affect eligibility for certain adults without dependents.
Kelly Lowery, administrator of the CAPK Food Bank, said the impact in Kern County could be significant.
Lowery said about 30,000 Kern County residents could be affected by the new requirements.
“It’s really anybody who’s on Cal Fresh, and that’s going to be people in every community around our county. Low income individuals who are hard-working and are looking to get extra support to be able to make ends meet,” Lowery said.
Lowery said one of the biggest challenges is the local job market.
“Kern County has a very high unemployment rate, almost 10% unemployment rate, which is, I mean, more than double the national average. So finding a job is very, very difficult,” Lowery said.
Lowery said losing CalFresh benefits could push more people to seek help from food banks and pantries, even as he emphasized how much farther CalFresh benefits can go compared with charitable food assistance.
“Cal Fresh can provide nine, 9 meals for every one that we’re able to provide,” Lowery said. “We’re not gonna be able to equate the loss that families are going to experience.”
Food pantries are bracing for possible increased demand while grocery prices continue to rise. (KRCR)
Lowery said CAPK is already seeing increased demand and expects more pressure on food distributions across the county.
He said the food bank serves 50,000 Kern County families every month and distributes about 1.5 to 2 million pounds of food monthly.
To help recipients meet the new requirements, CAPK is working with United Way, Blue Zones and other community partners to create more volunteer opportunities across Kern County.
The food bank is also hosting a webinar June 3 for businesses, nonprofits, schools and other organizations interested in accepting volunteers.
Lowery said the registration link is on the food bank’s social media and the webinar is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 am.
For people looking for nearby food distributions, Lowery said residents can call 2-1-1 to get information about locations and times.
Lowery also encouraged community members to support the food bank financially, saying donations help the organization purchase food in addition to rescuing food from grocery stores and receiving food through federal programs.
Lowery said people can donate by texting “feed current” to 50155.
“We have a philosophy here at the Food Bank, which is taken from a Haitian proverb. It says if there’s food for one, there’s food for two. And even though this is going to be a challenging moment, I’m optimistic that we’re going to be able to step up for neighbors in need during this time,” Lowery said.