Food, water and nutrition

Access to food

Why are farmers destroying crops while store shelves are empty?
Food & Food Systems Resources from the CDC
The CDC has compiled resources for individuals and families seeking food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidance is also available for food assistance programs and food system stakeholders. The resources are available online.

For the family

Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF) En español
It is safe to eat fresh fruits and vegetables during COVID-19 (PDF)
There's help for buying fresh and local fruits and vegetables (PDF)
How to stay food secure and eat well despite COVID-19 A three-page flyer developed by UC ANR's Nutrition Policy Institute and UC Berkeley
California Association of Food Banks - Enter your zip code in the “find a food bank” search bar in the upper right hand corner.
CalFresh response to COVID-19 (PDF)

Meals for kids

School meal sites providing free meals for children throughout California
“Meals for Kids” interactive map - A tool to direct people to local sites where kids can get free meals.
Pandemic EBT - Children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get up to $365 in food benefits called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT. Information and application for P-EBT eligible families is available in English, Spanish and Chinese.

Meals for seniors

The CDFA - Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
California Department of Aging Food and Nutrition website
Five ways you can get food delivered (Online shopping and delivery services)

Applying and using benefits

Food safety

Is COVID-19 a food safety issue?
Is Coronavirus a concern with takeout?
CDC food safety resources
UC Davis COVID-19 Food Safety Resources
UC Master Food Preserver Food Safety Training A webinar series on food spoilage, micro organisms and food preservation.
Coronavirus resources from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Eat Right website
Food safety resources from the Food Industry Association

Grocery shopping

How to stay safe while buying groceries amid the coronavirus pandemic by UCCE specialist Erin DiCaprio. (Published in The Conversation)
Cleaning and disinfecting reusable shopping bags
Shopping and handling groceries

In the home

Cleaning and disinfection
Hand hygiene
What to do if you are sick
Preparing for an outbreak in your community
Homemade hand sanitizer
Small scale recipe from World Health Organization formulation
Creating family home cooking memories with love and gratitude, by Deepa Srivastava, UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor in Tulare and Kings counties.
Home schooling during the stay at home order: Kids in the kitchen, by Shannon Klisch, UC Coopertive Extension CalFresh community education supervisor in San Luis Obispo County.

Water

Can I drink the water?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Read more from the CDC about Water Transmission and COVID-19.

Watch what you flush
Given the widespread challenges of toilet paper shortages, people are flushing many non-flushable products, leading to sewage overflows, a public health challenge of its own. It is widely recommended that only bodily waste and toilet paper be flushed, all other items should be placed in the trash. Read guidance from the California Water Boards. Available in Spanish.

UC ANR's California Institute for Water Resources
For more on water, visit the California Institute for Water Resources page on Water and COVID-19

Employment

OnwardCA.org is a one-stop resource for the people of California impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://onwardca.org/
COVID-19 Resource Guide for Immigrants in California (Immigrant Policy Center)

Get involved to learn more of food & nutrition

Additional nutrition resources

Visit the UC ANR publication catalog