The Santa Cruz/Watsonville area was ranked as the most expensive metropolitan area in the country for renters for the second year in a row, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual report released in June. The report says a person must earn an hourly wage of $77.96 to afford a market-rate two-bedroom apartment. And that’s just rent, not including groceries and other basic needs. Renters make up about 40% of households in the area. That means rising housing costs are significantly impacting residents – including their ability to afford healthy food.
Second Harvest Food Bank says it is more committed than ever to helping those facing food insecurity. Food Bank employee Rosa Quezada, who serves as a case specialist, helps the nonprofit feed those in need through her work and the efforts of the team she leads. And Quezada has noticed how increased housing costs have negatively impacted the community. Case specialist Alejandro Garcia, one of her team members, has seen a lot more new clients visiting Second Harvest’s distribution sites lately.
“When I took their information, they told me they had never been involved in a food distribution before – but the rising cost of everything has made them look for resources they haven’t used before,” says Garcia. Quezada’s team members all agree.
“Whether they are educating participants at distribution sites about the CalFresh program or helping them with CalFresh applications, many participants repeatedly emphasize that they are looking for ways to supplement their grocery purchases so that their budget can cover other necessities like rent,” Quezada says.
The Food Bank not only helps those in need directly by providing food at distributions, but the organization also advocates for measures that address the root causes of hunger. “Food insecurity is a symptom of several factors,” says Erica Padilla-Chavez, CEO of Second Harvest. “When hard-working families struggle to pay their rent or mortgage, often the first thing our neighbors do is save on food and its quality.”
Local resident Martha Ramirez and her family, a husband and four children, have recently struggled with higher rents and higher food prices. “Everything is so expensive. Sometimes I can’t even sleep because I think about everything I have to pay for,” she says. “The cost of living has increased a lot, sometimes that causes problems in personal relationships because the economic situation affects them too.”
When she finds work, Ramirez cleans people’s homes. But with rising inflation, her client base has dwindled. To make ends meet, she goes to Second Harvest distribution three times a week and also does volunteer work. “I get food and can help friends with the distribution. They give me beans, rice, potatoes and vegetables like carrots that I don’t have to buy.” She has been volunteering for about 20 years. “I also do it to help my husband with food costs; it helps me not to have any more stress.”
Food Bank client and volunteer Paty Jimenez used to work as a foreman in berry fields, but she injured her knee and can no longer work. “The rent is so high now and everything has become more expensive. My husband is responsible for the bills and that’s a lot for him alone,” she says.
Jimenez said she appreciates the fact that Second Harvest distributions “have really healthy food. I’ve also learned how to cook different healthy dishes.” She volunteers at four distributions each week and considers her service a source of income because she receives food.
The Food Bank recognizes that rising housing costs directly contribute to food insecurity. As households spend more of their income on rent, they are left with less to cover their basic needs, including the ability to buy enough food.
In addition to healthy foods, the Food Bank also provides education on SNAP/CalFresh and assistance in selecting food distributions. “California has one of the lowest CalFresh participation rates in the country,” Quezada says. “We want to make a difference by supporting those who qualify for CalFresh to enroll. Nearly 2 million Californians are not receiving these nutritional benefits that they are entitled to. We help people apply and advocate for them at the county level when needed.”
CalFresh membership offers additional benefits — such as discounts on necessities like phones and/or phone service, utilities and internet. “You can get a discounted Amazon Prime account or a Walmart+ Assist membership at a lower price,” Quezada says. “We believe everyone should be able to use such services, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.”
A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released last October found that the number of people living in food-insecure households in the U.S. increased to 44 million in 2022, including 13 million children. There were several troubling trends: a 44% increase in children compared to the previous year, the highest rate and highest number of individuals and children since 2014, and the largest single-year increase in food insecurity since 2008.
As housing costs rise, Second Harvest remains committed to the health and well-being of all Santa Cruz County residents. “Many people struggle, no matter where they live, what they look like, or how they dress,” Quezada says. “Hunger is not limited to a specific person like the homeless or unemployed. Anyone in our county can experience food insecurity. Hunger knows no race, background, or zip code.” The Food Bank encourages those in need to seek out its services. “Don’t be afraid to seek help for fear of social stigma and judgment when you ask for help in your time of need,” Quezada says. “We want to help our neighbors get the food and resources they need to thrive.”
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