SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. The program is administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through its nationwide network of FNS field offices. Local FNS field offices are responsible for the licensing and monitoring of retail food stores participating in SNAP.

SNAP is targeted toward the most at-risk citizens, predominantly serving households with children, elderly or disabled members. Nearly half of all SNAP participants are children.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

WIC is administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and is administered at the local level by state WIC agencies. Eligible participants receive monthly food packages designed to supply the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of the target population.

CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) is an entitlement program that provides monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. It is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.

Community Fridges are communal places where surplus food is shared with the local community by local businesses and individuals. Click on the link above to see where you can find some locations in LA.