Newsom deploys National Guard to food banks amid federal shutdown

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its third week, California is bracing for a surge in food insecurity. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of the California National Guard to assist food banks and an $80 million boost in emergency funding. The Guard will help distribute food, not enforce laws, in what Newsom calls a “humanitarian mission.” With federal SNAP benefits — known as CalFresh — at risk of suspension by October 23, food banks across the state warn demand is already spiking. The move echoes California’s pandemic-era deployment that helped serve over 800 million meals statewide.