April 2, 2026
With some non-citizens no longer eligible for Cal Fresh benefits, Orange County food banks are bracing for an influx of clients.
The change in eligibility requirements comes from federal policy updates barring certain asylees, refugees, parolees, individuals with deportation or removal withheld, conditional entrants and victims of trafficking from accessing Cal Fresh, according to the Department of Public Social Services.
“The trickle-down effect is that more and more individuals will need services like Families Forward for the very first time,” said Madelynn Hirneise, CEO of the food pantry. “Maybe, they’ve been able to make it work with their Cal Fresh benefits, stretching their budget thin, and now that’s gone.”