"Staples, who lives in San Rafael and previously "worked in Big Tech and startups," lost her job at the same time while she was pregnant with her second child, now six months old. While her husband still works as a teacher and musician, Staples describes her family as feeling like part of a "broken middle" - and CalFresh has allowed them to keep accessing fresh, nutritious food."
"Retired teacher January Handl, who lives in Glen Ellen, received CalFresh benefits of $200 a month before the delays hit. "But if my Social Security goes up with cost of living, they bring my CalFresh down," she said. "I'm going to try to do my best to make sure that ... it isn't such a difference for them," she said. "That means also utilizing local area food banks and just being creative with the way that we cook.""
Em-J Staples lost her job while pregnant and relies on CalFresh to keep her family, described as part of a "broken middle," accessing fresh, nutritious food. The Trump administration used the USDA contingency fund to provide SNAP payments in November after two federal judges ordered continued funding of food benefits. Many SNAP recipients faced food insecurity even before the payment delays. Retired teacher January Handl received $200 monthly in CalFresh and said Social Security cost-of-living increases often reduce her CalFresh. Recipients plan cost-saving measures, using food banks and simpler meals like beans, rice and cornbread. One recipient anticipates foregoing a cellphone payment.
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