Have you ever been in a position where you’ve wondered where your next meal will come from?
For far too many San Diegans, this is an everyday reality. The San Diego Hunger Coalition says roughly 1 in 3 people in San Diego lack access to nutritious food — a basic need for a person’s health and well-being.
Among the most impacted communities are those that include Black, Indigenous and people of color. According to San Diego Food Vision 2030, Black and Latino/a households experience food insecurity at nearly twice the rate of White households.
In a county where the gap between those who can access nutritious meals and those who can’t continues to grow, addressing these challenges is more important than ever.
Access to Food Assistance
In San Diego County, federal programs are the lifeline for food assistance – making up about 91% of the meals distributed. Programs like CalFresh, meal programs for kids, and WIC are among those supporting low-income families. But here’s the catch: San Diego Food Vision 2030 says these crucial programs aren’t being fully utilized.
According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, there’s a huge meal gap of 12.3 million meals every month.
Even more concerning – CalFresh isn’t reaching as many people as it should. Only 62% of those eligible at 130% of the federal poverty level and 52% at 150% of the federal poverty level are taking advantage of it. There’s a need to boost access to and awareness of these essential resources.
Meals that Heal
Local organizations like Mama’s Kitchen are stepping up to fill the gaps and provide more personalized support for San Diegans in need of nutritious food.
Mama’s Kitchen believes that everyone is entitled to the basic necessity of life – nutritious food. Their services specifically help those dealing with critical illnesses, like Nina Pinidi – who recently finished chemotherapy treatment for her cancer diagnosis.
“When my cancer journey started, I was also undergoing financial issues,” Pinidi said. “That was a huge relief to not be concerned with ‘what should I buy? what I can afford?’ This is a blessing.”
Founded in 1990, Mama’s Kitchen works with those battling critical illnesses and delivers medically tailored meals to them across San Diego County. Since its start, the organization has delivered more than 12 million meals locally.
Lexi Striler loves to hear success stories from the people she serves.
“Clients report feeling more confident and are able to prepare meals for themselves,” shared Striler, Registered Dietitian and Director of Nutrition Services at Mama’s Kitchen. “We believe food is medicine and the food that people eat directly impacts their health.”
A San Diego Foundation nonprofit partner through the Community Food Grant Program, Mama’s Kitchen has literally gone the extra mile and expanded its services to more rural areas. As a result of the grant, rural clients can now receive packed and shipped meals that were previously not possible due to the long distance.
“It enables us the ability to reach more people that desperately need us,” said Jason Martini, Chief of Food Service Operations. “We couldn’t have done this pilot or moved forward without the support from organizations like San Diego Foundation.”
About the Community Food Grant Program
The Community Food Grant Program was funded through a partnership with the County of San Diego. In 2021, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the framework for the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding, including the framework for the program.
The Community Food Grant Program contributes to building resilient communities, a pillar of the SDF Strategic Plan, by addressing equity barriers and creating a more inclusive and accessible food system for all.
