CalFresh EA expiration

First posted 3/7/23, Updated 3/9/23, Updated 3/28/23, Updated 4/5/23; Updated 4/20/23

A local media outlet has run a couple of pieces on the expiration of CalFresh Emergency Allotments. The first two were just copied national stories:

https://keyt.com/news/2023/03/03/a-hunger-crisis-sparked-by-covid-rages-on-three-years-into-the-pandemic-heres-how-you-can-give-or-get-help/

https://keyt.com/news/2023/03/01/heres-why-millions-of-americans-will-lose-3-billion-in-monthly-food-stamp-benefits-starting-in-march/

More recent mentions that include a local angle include:

https://keyt.com/health/2023/03/07/foodbank-of-santa-barbara-county-projects-surge-in-demand-as-calfresh-benefits-end/

https://www.noozhawk.com/noozhawks-covid-19-update-3-22-2023/

https://patch.com/california/santabarbara-ca/santa-barbara-foodbank-hunger-gap-large-fire-downtown-park

https://www.kcbx.org/health-science-and-technology/2023-04-04/santa-barbara-food-bank-says-calfresh-changes-high-prices-and-storms-add-to-food-insecurity

Here's one that looks at the impact on UC students, quoting the relevant director for our region, and also provides better background on the issue than most:

https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/uc-offers-counsel-as-calfresh-benefits-shrink

These next two stories have the local angle and show the Foodbank is looking to raise funds to meet increased need. The second one notes the impact of the end of of CalFresh emergency allotments: When economic multiplier effects are included, the monthly loss in nutritional support (and economic activity) in Santa Barbara County will total $8.16 million. That's $97.92 annually. The Foodbank is already serving 20% more people than pre-pandemic.

https://www.independent.com/2023/04/20/surge-in-hunger-expected-with-end-of-pandemic-food-assistance-program/

https://www.independent.com/2023/03/28/30000-santa-barbara-county-families-face-cuts-to-emergency-food-stamps/