LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Redwood Empire Food Bank – the region’s leader in hunger relief – welcomed Assemblymember Mariko Yamada to one of its Commodities Supplemental Food Program distributions for seniors on Tuesday.

Yamada volunteered at the site, helping to ensure that each senior in need receives a 30 pound box of staple food items and a bag of fresh produce.

“Our elders worked hard to lay the foundation for younger generations,” said Assemblymember Yamada, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long Term Care. “Today, through no fault of their own, seniors face food security challenges exacerbated by fixed-incomes that do not keep pace with the higher costs-of-living in rural residential areas. Add to that the price tag for staying cool in scorching temperatures and food prices skyrocketing because of three-years of drought.”

According to California Food Policy Advocates, only 64 percent of Lake County residents eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the federal nutrition assistance program known in California as CalFRESH, participate.

Lake County ranks 30 out of 58 in program participation by eligible individuals.

The Commodities Supplemental Food Program Program is a monthly food distribution supported by the USDA and serves seniors under 120 percent of the federal poverty level.

The distribution helps provide seniors, who are often living on tight fixed incomes, shelf stable food and fresh produce for the month.

The Redwood Empire Food Bank has 46 distribution sites throughout Northern California and a growing caseload of qualifying seniors.