March was National Nutrition Month. As we move into April, we thought it would be informative to look back at County and community-wide efforts made to improve the nutritional status of Sutter County residents. Nutrition is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Sutter County is very proud of our community and the great efforts, some ongoing and some new, that are underway.

Between July 1, 2020 and June 30 of 2021, Sutter County processed more than $27 million in CalFresh benefits for Sutter County residents. The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. The CalFresh Program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs. These funds are largely spent locally and are an important component of the local economy. CalFresh applications can be submitted online at BenefitsCal.com or by calling 877-652-0735.

In calendar year 2021, Sutter County provided over $750,000 in food benefits through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Not only do our local markets benefit from the purchase, program participants receive valuable education on childhood nutrition. The Sutter County WIC program can be reached at 530-822-7224 or at 1445 Veteran’s Memorial Circle, Yuba City, CA 95993.

Between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022, Sutter County dedicated $125,875 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding to the Yuba Sutter Food Bank that was used for a home-delivery food distribution program using local restaurants, benefitting homebound individuals and our local businesses at the same time. The Food Bank supports several Sutter County programs by providing food to at risk individuals. Sutter County Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Karm Bains, is a sitting member on the Food Bank Board of Directors. The Food Bank can be reached at 530-673-3834.

Annually, Sutter County provides nearly $30,000 to the Area 4 Agency on Aging. A4AA provided over 27,000 meals to Sutter and Yuba County residents in FY 2020-21 through its Meals on Wheels and FREED programs that focus on providing food to seniors and disabled residents. FREED can be reached at 530-742-4474.

In March 2022, the Sutter County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution supporting the Yuba Sutter Blue Zones program. Blue Zones is a community-wide approach, based on best practices, to improve the well-being of communities so that residents can live measurably longer and happier lives. Sutter County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Mike Ziegenmeyer, represents Sutter County on the Yuba Sutter Blue Zones Steering Committee. Yuba Sutter Blue Zones can be reached at bzpyubasutter@sharecare.com.

The Salvation Army runs the Hope Express program, which is a mobile street outreach team that provides meals to sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals in Yuba and Sutter counties. The Salvation Army's Fresh Fridays program is a free outdoor food market designed to allow families to safely shop for food necessities. The Fresh Fridays program is held every Friday through May 27, 2022 from 9 am to 10 pm at 401 Del Norte Avenue in Yuba City. The Salvation Army can be reached at 530-216-4530.

Sutter County has provided use of its facilities to the Yuba Sutter Veteran’s Stand Down (YSVSD) organization for storage and distribution of food to local veterans, community-based organizations and the general public. YSVSD provides food to nearly 40 churches and food pantries. YSVSD can be reached at 530-749-1036.

Sutter County appreciates its partnerships with these, and other local organizations committed to improving the lives of residents and supporting our local economy.