SAN JOSE, Calif. – A new Second Harvest of Silicon Valley survey finds that 60% of respondents are more worried about paying their bills than they were a year ago, and nearly half do not currently have at least $100 saved. The findings show how little financial cushion many local households have as they contend with the rising cost of groceries, gas, housing and healthcare.
Food budgets are particularly under pressure: 74% of respondents said the cost of nutritious food makes it difficult for them or their household to stay healthy. For households with limited savings, an unexpected bill or lost shift at work can leave even less money to put food on the table.
These findings come as federal changes to SNAP, known as CalFresh in California, put food benefits at risk for more households. Expanded work requirements and more complex reporting and eligibility rules can create barriers to maintaining benefits that help people buy groceries. Losing that assistance adds pressure to budgets already stretched by everyday expenses.
“Our neighbors are working to feed their families and manage their health, but the numbers don’t add up for many households,” said Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. “Nutritious food should not be something people have to sacrifice to pay rent or fill a prescription. As the holidays approach, our community needs to recognize how much pressure families are under—and how much access to food matters.”
Household bills leave little room to save
For households with limited savings, losing income can make everyday expenses difficult to cover. When she shared her story, Jocelyn was undergoing chemotherapy, and her husband was unable to work due to health reasons. The retirement savings they had built were no longer there to fall back on.
“We never thought we would be in this position. We worked our whole lives,” she said.
With neither able to work, grocery costs added to the financial pressure.
“Costs are through the roof. It’s just so hard,” she said.
Medical expenses add to household costs
In the survey, 74% of respondents said someone in their household has pre-diabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure or a heart condition. For these families, food and medical care can place competing demands on an already limited budget.
For Maria, the financial pressure includes the everyday costs of raising four children and caring for a daughter with a rare genetic condition that requires ongoing medical appointments, therapies and a specialized diet. Her husband works in construction, but household bills and the additional costs of her daughter’s care stretch their budget.
“For us, money is very tight. The food from the distribution helps relieve some of the costs,” she said.
Food from Second Harvest helps ease that pressure and gives Maria’s family more room to meet those needs.
Keeping nutritious food within reach
Access to food is essential—and the quality of that food matters. Nearly 60% of the food Second Harvest distributes is fresh produce, helping families access nutritious food as grocery costs strain household budgets.
Helping neighbors make the most of those groceries is another part of the work. Second Harvest’s Community Health and Nutrition team offers recipes, cooking demonstrations and culturally relevant guidance to help families prepare meals with the food they bring home.
With the holidays approaching, community donations help keep nutritious food available for everyday meals and holiday gatherings—and sustain that access throughout the year. To learn more or support Second Harvest, visit shfb.org.
About the survey
The survey was conducted via text message in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese beginning September 2, 2026. Findings are based on 1,159 responses from Second Harvest Free Grocery program participants collected as of September 5, 2026.
Get help with groceries
Neighbors can visit shfb.org/get-food to find food resources in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, including information about CalFresh enrollment support.
