Napa County launches online hub to connect residents with food assistance
As concerns over food insecurity rise amid disruptions to federal food aid programs, the Napa County Food Access Coalition has launched a new online resource, www.napafoodaccess.org/ designed to connect residents with local food support options.
The site serves as a one-stop, bilingual guide for all food resources in Napa County. It lists options by city, date and eligibility requirements, and includes food pantries, grocery distributions and community meal programs.
Countywide services such as CalFresh, the WIC (Woman, Infants and Children) program and Meals on Wheels are also listed, with information on how to apply through their respective agencies.
President Donald Trump made threats on Tuesday to withhold federal food assistance until Democrats vote to reopen the government, a sharp departure from the position taken just a day earlier by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The conflicting messages have left both lawmakers and beneficiaries uncertain about what to expect.
In a post on “Truth Social,” Trump wrote that SNAP benefits “will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before.”
Napa County Food Access Coalition chair Cara Mae Wooledge said, “With the government shutdown causing disruptions to CalFresh food assistance benefits, the issue of food insecurity has become top of mind.” She added, “The Napa Food Access Coalition wants to get the word out about free resources available to anyone who needs help getting enough food on the table.”
On Monday, the USDA had indicated it would continue issuing at least partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments by using a contingency fund in compliance with court orders.
But Trump’s remarks appeared to upend that plan. Hours later, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sought to clarify the administration’s stance, saying that benefits would, in fact, be distributed.
But when that will happen is still unknown, so local governments are stepping in.
Last week, the Napa County Board of Supervisors authorized up to $1 million in emergency food assistance to ensure residents can access groceries after CalFresh benefits were halted beginning Saturday, Nov. 1.
In Napa County, approximately 10,700 residents (about 6,600 households) receive CalFresh benefits, which are funded through SNAP.
These benefits contribute nearly $1.9 million to the local food economy each month, according to the latest available data.
Napa Food Access was formed as a network of 35 organizations including nonprofits, faith-based groups, local government agencies, health care providers and funders.
The coalition works collaboratively to ensure equitable access to sufficient, nutritious and culturally appropriate food for all Napa County residents.
“Our goal is that napafoodaccess.org will be an up-to-date and comprehensive list that makes it easy for people to find food support,” said Wendi Moore, coalition co-chair.
The Napa County Food Access Coalition’s work is supported by a Napa County Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) Grant.
