One in three Californians have cut back on food to save money, survey finds

"As grocery prices continue to rise and millions of Californians saw their food benefits disrupted this month, nearly one in three residents statewide says they or someone in their home has spent less on food to save money over the past year, according to a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California. Lower-income Californians are particularly vulnerable: half say their household has cut back on food, Mark Baldassare, the nonpartisan think tank's survey director, said in a statement."

"Food prices, which surged in the wake of the pandemic, have kept climbing this year amid new tariffs on imported goods, increasing by about 3% nationwide over the 12 months ending in September, according to federal data. Meanwhile, federal food assistance payments were delayed for most of California's 5.3 million SNAP benefit recipients during the government shutdown, sending thousands to food banks across the Bay Area."

Nearly one in three Californians says they or someone in their home has spent less on food to save money over the past year. Lower-income households are more vulnerable, with half reporting they cut back on food. Food prices rose about 3% nationwide over the 12 months ending in September amid pandemic-related increases and new tariffs on imported goods. Federal food assistance payments were delayed for most of California's 5.3 million SNAP recipients during the government shutdown, prompting increased use of food banks. New federal work requirements are scheduled to take effect next month, raising concerns about future benefit losses.

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