Newsom deploys National Guard to support food banks as CalFresh benefits stall

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that he will be deploying California National Guard troops to support operations in the state’s food banks. The move comes amidst a government shutdown that threatens to pause CalFresh benefits that help 5.5 million Californians to purchase groceries. 

Newsom also announced in a statement that he is fast-tracking $80 million in state support to counter funding delays as a result of the shutdown. 

“Trump’s failure isn’t abstract – it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths,” said Newsom in his statement. He continued, “This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action. Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps.” 

National Guard troops will not be acting as law enforcement; instead, they will be stepping in to help distribute food and support food bank operations. Under this directive, Newsom also mobilized California Volunteers, a state office tasked with engaging Californians in volunteer service, to support the “humanitarian mission.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, provided food assistance to nearly 41.7 million people in 2024; this makes SNAP the largest food assistance program in the country. In California, there are 5.5 million people enrolled in the program. 

As a result of the federal shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, states have been directed to withhold benefit data for November, which would allow CalFresh funds to be allocated to individuals who usually receive these benefits. If the federal government isn’t reopened by Congress by Thursday, Oct. 23, or a separate deal is made to fund the program, no CalFresh enrollees will receive their benefits next month. 

The governor has deployed the National Guard to support food banks before, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 800 million meals were served during this time.

To find food banks near them, individuals can visit findhelp.org. After inputting a zip code, the website will offer a list of resources: food, housing, transit, health care, work assistance and more. 

By selecting the “food” option, individuals can then choose from community gardens, emergency food, food delivery, food pantries and free meals that are offered near them. There are also options to help pay for food for others and to get nutrition education.

The California Association of Food Banks also has information on how to access the resources available to Californians. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, which has multiple distribution sites, serves over one million people in L.A. every month.

“As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, California is working to ensure CalFresh recipients don’t go hungry while food prices are spiking under President Trump,” said Newsom in the statement.