This July, low-income Sonoma County seniors have fewer dollars for groceries, local food banks face surging demand, and the farmworkers picking grapes for the county’s famed vineyards struggle to feed their own families. Amid delayed food vouchers and rising costs, hunger is becoming an increasingly visible crisis in a region celebrated for abundance.
Every summer, low-income seniors count on a $50 voucher from the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. But this year, it’s not arriving on time. According to Petaluma Bounty:
“2025 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) delayed until Aug. 1. … You can get on a notification list to stay informed by contacting the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging.”
That month-long delay can mean missed opportunities for healthy meals for seniors with tight budgets. Last year, the county only received enough vouchers for 300 seniors—far fewer than those who could benefit. And with inflation still eating into fixed incomes, this one-time $50 isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessary supplement.
Petaluma Bounty has traditionally tried to fill in the gap with its “Senior Bounty Bucks” program. Back in 2023, they added more vouchers to top up SFMNP. But that funding dried up this year, and there’s nothing to replace it—meaning more seniors will have to make do with less.
Kids can’t afford a summer break from meals
When school lets out, so do free lunches. But in Sonoma County, the community steps up. The Redwood Empire Food Bank’s Summer Lunch program runs through Aug. 8, serving meals at 12 sites across the county.
“We know that summer should be a time of fun and adventure for every child—not a time to worry about where their next meal will come from. … We’re helping kids stay nourished and ready to make the most of their summer break,” said Maria Fuentes, hunger relief worker and Every Child, Every Day manager at Redwood Empire Food Bank.
This program is about feeding growing kids who would otherwise miss out. No one should go hungry just because it’s summer—but without it, thousands could.
Farmworkers struggle to feed their own families
It’s a hard truth: the farmworkers who bring fresh grapes to our tables—and wine to our glasses—often don’t earn enough to feed their own families. They’re working long hours in fields, frequently for less than $25,000 a year amid rising rent and living costs.
Layer on fears around immigration status, and you’ve got a group that might skip applying for CalFresh help, worried about ICE or other consequences. Imagine being stoppedmy masked thugs at the grocery store while picking out carrots for your kids—just trying to feed your family. It’s a reality many face.
Community groups, like La Luz Center, have been working on outreach—making sure people know help is available and safe to receive, but barriers of language and fear persist.
Food banks, farmers markets create patchwork safety net
Thankfully, Sonoma County has built a pretty strong community safety net. The Redwood Empire Food Bank partners with 150 local agencies—pantries, senior centers, afterschool programs—to distribute food widely. But even that scale can’t fully meet skyrocketing demand.
Farmers markets have joined the effort too: virtually all accept EBT/SNAP, and many offer dollar-for-dollar matches. Low-income folks can stretch their dollars further—and it helps local farmers keep selling. That connection between farm and table is a win-win, though more outreach is needed so everyone knows what’s available.
Solving hunger starts with awareness
Yes, Sonoma County has resources. But:
• Transportation and access remain barriers—especially in rural areas.
• Language and immigration worries keep some away from assistance.
• Funding is fragile, as shown by the delayed senior vouchers.
None of this is new, but the consequences are immediate: people are going hungry in a county that can grow more than enough food.
Solving this means bringing services where people are, making them easy to access, and staying rooted in community care. Sonoma County is good at that—it’s what we do when it counts. But we can’t wait. Hunger here isn’t a glitch in the system—it’s a sign that the system needs to work harder, reach further, and follow through—especially in August, when seniors should be shopping but still might be waiting for vouchers.
In a county known for abundance, hunger shouldn’t be part of the story. Let’s make sure everyone, from seniors and kids to farmworkers and working families, has enough to eat. And grow.
