Sonoma County authorizes up to $1 million to shore up food supply after CalFresh disruption

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Nov. 4 to give the county executive authority to spend up to $1 million to help residents affected by an interruption in federal SNAP/CalFresh payments.

Human Services Director Angela Strachman told the board that the federal shutdown, which began Oct. 1, stopped SNAP benefit disbursements and left about 43,000 county residents (roughly 27,000 households) at risk of losing an average of about $300 per household per month — a countywide monthly total the department estimated at about $8.2 million. "Because this shutdown has now stretched into November, the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program . . . have stopped," Strachman said, describing coordination with the Redwood Empire Food Bank and other community partners to respond immediately.

Allison Goodwin, president and CEO of the Redwood Empire Food Bank, told supervisors the food bank is already seeing sharp increases in demand: "Our referrals are up 266%" and October saw 1,528 families call to register, she said, urging the board to move quickly on support.

Why it matters: County officials said the public‑benefit interruption is creating immediate need that local food banks can help meet but that the food bank's purchasing power and distribution capacity will be strained without financial augmentation. The board framed the move as a stopgap to ensure immediate November access while staff continues to plan longer‑term responses.

What the board did: Supervisor David Corsi proposed raising the delegation to the county executive to $1 million and asked staff to return to the board by Dec. 9 with options for a formal emergency declaration and additional measures. The board voted to authorize Sierra Rivera, county executive, to execute one‑time funding and related agreements up to $1,000,000 from general‑fund contingencies to partner with the Redwood Empire Food Bank and other community groups to distribute food to affected residents.

Board members and advocates debated how to use funds. Some urged direct grocery gift cards to affected households, citing Napa County's $1 million gift‑card approach for fewer residents; others argued the food bank's procurement leverage stretches public dollars farther and preferred bulk purchases to maximize reach. Chair Hopkins said staff will explore options, including partnerships with philanthropy and local businesses to amplify purchasing power.

Next steps and conditions: The county executive was authorized to work with the food bank on the funding agreement and to seek partners that can deliver culturally appropriate and accessible distribution. Staff will return to the board on Dec. 9 with recommendations on whether to declare a county emergency, proposals on how to distribute any remaining funds within the $1 million cap, and options for gift‑card or restaurant‑card pilots if feasible.

Public reaction: Dozens of residents, service providers and commissioners urged more funding and faster, more flexible approaches including grocery or restaurant gift cards and expanded distribution hours. "This is a hunger and human rights emergency," said a member of the public during the record; others described long lines at pantries and barriers for people who cannot take time off work to pick up food.

Records and limits: County staff emphasized that an emergency declaration alone does not automatically unlock state or federal funding; federal or state emergency declarations would be required for additional matching funds. The $1 million delegation is a county decision to meet immediate need while pursuing broader partnerships and potential follow‑on board actions.