Finding food assistance in Santa Barbara, CA

Written By Jill Visit

If you're in Santa Barbara County and managing a chronic health condition, this guide will walk you through local and statewide resources—including Bento, CalFresh, WIC, and more.

What Is Bento and How Can It Help?

Bento is a free grocery delivery service for eligible Medi-Cal members living with chronic health conditions. Once enrolled, you can receive medically-tailored grocery orders delivered directly to your door each week. Bento partners with local grocery stores to ensure you get fresh, nutritious food that supports your health needs.

Who is Eligible for Bento?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are enrolled in Medi-Cal

  • Have a health condition like hypertension or type 2 diabetes (Bento provides groceries for several different types of conditions, with medically-tailored grocery orders for each)

Qualification is not tied to immigration status, employment status, nationality, or any other factor other than your insurance provider and health condition.

It takes less than two minutes to apply!

How does Bento work?

  • Once enrolled, you can order groceries once a week from your local grocery store

  • Choose from several different medically-tailored orders curated by our Registered Dietitians

  • Bento grocery orders feature items from across the store, including spices, meat, fish, whole grains, fresh vegetables, fruit and more

  • Choose your order and schedule your weekly delivery in under two minutes

How do I enroll?

Enrolling in Bento is easy. There are 3 simple steps:

  • Fill out a short form, so we can confirm your eligibility, and verify your phone number.

  • Once your Medi-Cal health insurance provider has approved your benefit, you will receive instructions on how to place your first grocery order.

  • If you want help signing up, Bento team members are out at different sites each month to help walk you through the process. Catch us at the following places/times:

    • Guadalupe Senior Center: First Thursday of each month (4545 10th St, Guadalupe, CA 93434)

    • American GI Forum: Second Tuesday of each month, 1 p.m to 4 p.m. (117 West Bunny Avenue, Santa Maria, CA 93458)

    • Santa Maria VA Clinic: 4th Wednesday of each month, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (1550 East Main Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454-4819)

You can also contact Bento support staff any time at support@gobento.com or at 1-800-936-3022.

Understanding Medi-Cal: California’s Medicaid Program

Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost health coverage to low-income Californians, including families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Eligibility is generally based on your income and household size.

Medi-Cal covers:

  • Doctor visits and hospital care

  • Mental health and substance use treatment

  • Dental and vision services

  • Long-term care

  • Enhanced Care Management: Help from a care manager who works with you and your doctors to make sure you get the services you need

  • Community Supports: Extra services that help with daily needs, like finding housing, making your home safer, or getting healthy food (like medically-tailored, fresh groceries delivered from Bento)

  • Food benefits like Bento, which allows you to receive medically-tailored fresh groceries once a week

To apply or learn more, visit benefitscal.com.




CalFresh: Monthly Food Benefits for Low-Income Residents

CalFresh is California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It provides monthly benefits via a digital payment card that can be used to purchase groceries at participating stores and farmers' markets.

Am I eligible?

You may qualify if:

  • You live in California

  • You’re a U.S. citizen or have a legal immigration status

  • You meet the income limits

  • You spend a lot of your income on rent, bills, or child care

Don’t worry if you're not sure—many people are eligible without realizing it.


What do I need to apply?

To apply, it helps to have:

  • ID (like a driver’s license or Medi-Cal card)

  • Proof of income (like a pay stub or benefits letter)

  • Rent or housing costs

  • A list of monthly expenses (utilities, child care, etc.)


How to get started

You can apply in about 10 minutes:

  • Go to getcalfresh.org for a quick and easy application

  • Or visit benefitscal.com to apply for CalFresh and other benefits like Medi-Cal

  • You can also apply by phone or in person if you prefer at your nearest DSS office. (locate an office near you at this link)


Can I receive CalFesh and Bento at the same time?

Yes! Receiving free groceries from Bento does not affect your eligibility for CalFresh, and the two programs actually work well together. You can use your CalFresh benefits to supplement items from your Bento order. 

Also, Bento has recipe ideas, and other resources to help you plan healthy meals that fit your budget and your preferences.






WIC: Support for Women, Infants, and Children

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program offers supplemental food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to:

  • Pregnant women

  • Postpartum and breastfeeding mothers

  • Infants and children under 5

Eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk. WIC benefits are provided through checks or digital payment cards redeemable at authorized grocery stores.

To find a local WIC clinic or apply, visit my family.wic.ca.gov.


Local Food Distribution Events in Santa Barbara County

The Food Bank of Santa Barbara County hosts regular food distribution events across the region. These events provide free groceries to individuals and families in need.

How to Find Upcoming Events:

  • Visit the food bank’s website: foodbanksbc.org

  • Use their interactive map to locate distribution sites near you

  • Call their helpline for assistance: (805) 967-5741

  • Check out this list of food distribution sites across the Santa Barbara area

No appointment is necessary, but arriving early is recommended as supplies may be limited.




Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I receive both CalFresh and WIC benefits?
 A: Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs, you can receive benefits from each.

Q: Can I still use SNAP if I enroll in Bento?

Yes! These programs will not interfere with your Medi-Cal health plan benefits. 

Q: Does using CalFresh or WIC affect my immigration status?
 A: No, receiving CalFresh or WIC benefits does not impact your immigration status or count against public charge determinations.

Q: How do I apply for multiple assistance programs at once?
 A: You can use benefitscal.com to apply for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other programs in one application.





Additional Resources

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