Enrollment in the federal food stamp program in Yuba County has grown by nearly 12 percent, more than double the national trend.

Sutter County reported a percentage increase similar to the national numbers — a 5 percent increase — while Colusa County's numbers remained virtually unchanged year to year.

In January 2008, Yuba County reported 3,487 cases, an 11.7 percent jump from the 3,121 cases in January 2007.

A case is a household participating in the program.

The county also saw a 20 percent increase, from 2,494 cases in the 2005-06 fiscal year to 3,013 cases in the 2006-07 fiscal year.

Yuba County projects 3,373 cases by the end of this fiscal year.

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture listed a record 27.7 million people — about 12.4 million households — as obtaining food through the food stamp program in January, a 5 percent spike from January 2007, when 26.4 million people used the program.

In California, food stamp usage grew 3 percent from 2006 to 2007. Roughly 2.1 million Californians enrolled in the program in 2007, compared to 2 million people to 2.1 in 2006.

Demand for food stamps is up in 43 states. Increased food stamp participation nationally appears to be a result of the economic slowdown and rising costs for basic goods.

An American Farm Bureau Federation survey in February found that the total cost of 16 basic grocery items was up 8 percent from just a few months before. A carton of a dozen large eggs was up 55 cents, to $2.16; apples were $1.40 a pound, 13 cents higher than before.

Myrnice Valentine, Sutter County's food stamp program manager, said that if the food stamp numbers are a result of the failing economy, larger numbers of people could come to depend on food stamps.

"Things could get bad if the economy gets really bad," she said.

Food stamps, a federal entitlement program, involves funds being placed on an electronic debit card for recipients to use to buy unprepared food items. Valentine said because of the electronic card, "it's private and it hurries up the line" in stores. Switching from coupons to the debit cards has reduced the stigma.

"If you were standing behind someone in line who's using food stamps, you wouldn't know," she said.

Participation is based on income. Those who qualify typically make 130 percent of the poverty line. A single person making less than $1,107 per month would qualify. The poverty level is $851 per month for a single person.

For a family of four, a monthly income of less than $2,238 would qualify that family for food-stamp usage.

Sutter County reported a 3 percent increase in food stamp participation from January 2007 to January 2008.

Increases nationally may or may not reflect unemployment and the slowing economy, but locally, Valentine said, the Mid-Valley is still a rural area.

"We're agricultural, so the numbers are probably based more on that," Valentine said. "In the winter we have a lot more people because it's in between ag cycles."

Yuba County officials would not speculate whether or not the increases are a result of the sliding economy.

Kay Sharpe, program manager in Colusa County, said October is the time of lowest enrollment because most people are working in the harvest.

Colusa County saw three fewer from January 2007 to January 2008.

Sharpe said applications for all assistance programs are increasing.

"It's not just food stamps," she said. "Everything is increasing."

The current food stamp program began in 1964. It's funded by the federal government, but administered by state or local agencies.

MID-VALLEY FOOD STAMP USE

• Colusa County: January 2007, 477 cases

• Colusa County: January 2008, 474 cases

• Sutter County: January 2007, 2,374 cases

• Sutter County: January 2008, 2,439 cases

• Yuba County: January 2007, 3,121cases

• Yuba County: January 2008, 3,373 cases

More Information

Go to www.fns.usda.gov/fsp for food stamp program information.

Contact Appeal reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com