Groceries
Whether due to financial, physical, or transportation issues, shopping for groceries can become more challenging as we age. These organizations and programs help older adults and others access food to prepare at home. Additional resources can be found on the Prepared Meals page or calling 211.
Click on the v-shaped arrow to the right of each program description to view more information.
CalFresh provides financial assistance to purchase food at grocery stores or farmers' markets. Eligibility and the amount of benefits a household can receive depend on how many people live in the household, countable household income, and household expenses. There are special rules for households with at least one older adult or person with a disability that may make it easier to qualify for benefits or increase the monthly benefit amount.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Californians who meet household financial eligibility criteria (contact program for details; financial qualifications are easier to meet if the household includes at least one person over the age of 60 or who has a qualifying disability)
Phone: (877) 847-3663 (statewide hotline); (916) 874-3100 (Sacramento); (209) 744-0499 (Galt)
Website: http://calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food/
Note: to see if you may be eligible for CalFresh and apply on-line, go to any of these websites: https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org/#/home, https://www.getcalfresh.org/, or https://benefitscal.com/; older adults may also get assistance applying for CalFresh through local foodbanks, the Area Agency on Aging, and other local non-profit organizations.
The Elk Grove Food Bank opens its warehouse for food distribution exclusively for older adults on Fridays mornings ("Senior Hour"). The food bank also distributes Senior Boxes monthly (registration in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program required) and helps older adults apply for CalFresh.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: residents of Elk Grove who are 60 or older
Address: 9888 Kent Street, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone: (916) 685-8453
Email: valerie@egfbs.org
Website: https://elkgrovefoodbank.org/services-programs/services-for-our-seniors/
This program delivers food boxes to clients who are physically unable to come to the food bank due to a medical condition.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: must live in a zip code served by the Elk Grove Food Bank (95624, 95757, 95758, 95828, and 95829) and be physically unable to come to the food bank
Address: 9888 Kent Street, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone: (916) 685-8453
Email: valerie@egfbs.org
Website: https://elkgrovefoodbank.org/find-food/wellness-bag-program/
Note: applications can be mailed to Elk Grove Food Bank, PO 1447, Elk Grove, CA 95759
This searchable database helps users find local food pantries, soup kitchens or food banks.
Natomas Unified School District operates this free food locker behind Natomas High School where local residents can pick up canned or dried foods.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 3301 Fong Ranch Road, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (916) 567-5400
Clients can pick up free groceries and fresh food twice per month from the food bank. There are also several monthly mobile distribution locations.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Sacramento County residents (targeted to Orangevale and Fair Oaks residents)
Address: 6483 Main Ave, Orangevale, CA 95662
Phone: (916) 238-8868
Email: info@ovfofb.org
Website: https://www.ovfofb.org/
Client can pick up food once a month from this foodbank. This is a distribution site for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services Food For Seniors program
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 10497 Coloma Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Phone: (916) 364-8973
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on the website
The River City Food Bank distributes food at two locations in Midtown and Arden-Arcade. Clients can pick up a three-day supply of food and non-food items through the Emergency Food program. There are also programs that provide additional food to low-income older adults and to medically-fragile individuals. Outreach staff are available to assist with CalFresh applications.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Sacramento County residents
Address: 1800 28th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 and St. Matthew's, 2300 Edison Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95821
Phone: (916) 446-2627
Email: email@rivercityfoodbank.org
Website: https://rivercityfoodbank.org/
Users can search for local food pantries and other food distribution sites by entering their zip codes.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone may search database, some food pantries may have eligibility requirements
Phone: (916) 456-1980
Website: https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/find-food
Note: local food pantries can also be located by calling 211 or searching the database at https://www.211sacramento.org/211/
Low-income older adults may apply to receive a free box of groceries each month. Boxes may be picked up at various distribution centers around the county.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Sacramento County residents who are 60 or older and meet the program's income eligibility requirements (contact the program for details)
Address: see website or contact program for a list of distribution sites
Phone: (916) 456-1980
Website: https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/food-for-seniors
Anyone can pick up free fruit, vegetables, and other food on Tuesday or Thursday mornings at two locations.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: Tuesdays: Arcade Church, 3867 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95821; Thursdays: Daughters of Zion Enterpryz, 6489 47th St, Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: (916) 456-1980
Website: https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/mega-drive-through-walk-up-distributions
Clients can pick up food boxes once per week. Boxes contain a mix of perishable and non-perishable items.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Sacramento County residents
Address: 3213 Orange Grove Ave., North Highlands, CA 95660
Phone: (916) 678-4010
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://sacramento.salvationarmy.org/sacramento_metro/family-services
Note: pick-up days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am until 1pm
This program provides one box of fresh produce and other locally-grown food items between May and September to eligible older adults.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone 60 or older who meets income criteria (see website or contact program for details)
Address: California Department of Food & Agriculture, Office of Grants Administration, 1220 N Street, Room 120, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 657-3231
Email: Grants@cdfa.ca.gov
Website: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/SeniorFarmersMrktNutritionPrgm/
Note: boxes are normally distributed at farmers' markets, but during the COVID-19 pandemic distribution is being handled by local food banks
This community-based organization provides food to those in the Galt area.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Galt residents
Address: PO Box 1265 Galt CA 95632
Website: https://sunshinefoodpantrygalt.org/
Residents of Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Granite Bay can get groceries from this food bank. In addition to distributing groceries on site, Twin Lakes Food Bank delivers groceries to senior centers and to homebound older adults.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: residents of Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Granite Bay
Address: 327 Montrose Drive, Folsom, CA 95630
Phone: (916) 985-6232
Email: can send message through Connect page on website
Website: https://www.twinlakesfoodbank.org/
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This page was created by Yazmin Varas. Last updated 4/6/2023