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 General Initiative 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 revealed in a comment Food prices which surged in the wake of the pandemic have kept climbing this year amid new tariffs on imported goods increasing by about nationwide over the months ending in September according to federal facts Meanwhile federal food assistance payments were delayed for largest part of California s million SNAP benefit recipients during the administration shutdown sending thousands to food banks across the Bay Area The aid is now flowing again but new work requirements enacted by President Donald Trump s Big Beautiful Bill are set to take effect next month raising fears that potentially millions across the country could eventually lose assistance The bill s Republican supporters argue the work requirements will eliminate fraud and ensure that only those who absolutely need benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Operation receive them The PPIC survey also ascertained that almost of Californians expect the state to face serious economic challenges over the next year even as three-quarters are at least somewhat satisfied with their household s financial situation To improve the economic outlook overwhelming majorities of adults assistance increased citizens spending for job training childcare programs and the creation of a new leadership fitness insurance option However they do not share the same belief that their elected leaders are equipped to handle the market Gov Gavin Newsom received the backing of of survey respondents while state lawmakers had advocacy President Trump meanwhile had approval and Congress just Californians have been gloomy about the financial market and affordability for several years now and it s altering their big-picture thinking Baldassare noted The poll surveyed California adult residents October The margin of error is plus or minus percentage points for the overall sample