2026 OCAP State of the Child Report

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM TRENDS REFLECT SUSTAINED RELIANCE AMONG

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN DESCRIPTION OF INDICATOR

This indicator measures participation in key supplemental nutrition programs serving children under 18 years of age in Riverside County, including CalFresh and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Measures include trends over time, differences by age group, and community of residence.

Why is this indicator important?

Findings 1 • CalFresh participation among Riverside County children under 18 totaled 178,692 children (29.1%) in 2015–2016 and 161,067 children (26.2%) in 2018–2019, declining gradually between those fiscal years. During the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, participation increased, reaching a peak of 172,146 children (28.8%) in 2023–2024 before easing to 170,612 children (28.5%) in 2024– 2025. • Participation also varied by age group. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, children ages 5 to 12 accounted for the largest share of CalFresh recipients under age 18, representing 46.1% of participating children. Children under age 5 made up 27% of recipients, while youth ages 13 to 17 accounted for 26.9%. Riverside County is expanding outreach, strengthening partnerships with schools and early childhood programs and improving access points through service integration so children of all ages can be connected to nutrition support as early and consistently as possible. • Between 2019 and 2021, the total number of certified WIC participants in Riverside County declined, followed by steady increases from 2022 through 2024. By 2024, participation reached 76,204 individuals, exceeding pre pandemic levels.

Access to adequate nutrition is essential to children’s physical health, cognitive development, and overall well-being. Food insecurity during childhood is associated with negative outcomes such as poor health, delayed development, and lower academic achievement. Programs such as CalFresh and WIC play a critical role in reducing food insecurity by providing families with resources to meet basic nutritional needs. Monitoring participation in supplemental nutrition programs helps identify the extent of food insecurity in a community and informs efforts to support children and families facing economic hardship.

1 Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), Table B09001, California Open Data Portal (WIC Partici pants by County): data.ca.gov/

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