Silicon Valley Households Face Rising Costs with Little to Fall Back On, Second Harvest Survey Finds

74% of respondents struggle with the cost of nutritious food as groceries, gas and other essentials compete for limited dollars heading into the holidays

• 60% are more worried about paying their bills than a year ago.

• Almost half of respondents have less than $100 in savings.

• Nearly three-quarters of respondents said the cost of nutritious food makes it difficult for them or their household to stay healthy.

• 74% said someone in their household has pre-diabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure or a heart condition.

SAN JOSE, Calif., October 16, 2026--A new Second Harvest of Silicon Valley survey finds that 60% of respondents are more worried about paying their bills than they were a year ago, and nearly half do not currently have at least $100 saved. The findings show how little financial cushion many local households have as they contend with the rising cost of groceries, gas, housing and healthcare.

Food budgets are particularly under pressure: 74% of respondents said the cost of nutritious food makes it difficult for them or their household to stay healthy. For households with limited savings, an unexpected bill or lost shift at work can leave even less money to put food on the table.

These findings come as federal changes to SNAP, known as CalFresh in California, put food benefits at risk for more households. Expanded work requirements and more complex reporting and eligibility rules can create barriers to maintaining benefits that help people buy groceries. Losing that assistance adds pressure to budgets already stretched by everyday expenses.

"Our neighbors are working to feed their families and manage their health, but the numbers don't add up for many households," said Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. "Nutritious food should not be something people have to sacrifice to pay rent or fill a prescription. As the holidays approach, our community needs to recognize how much pressure families are under—and how much access to food matters."

Household bills leave little room to save

For households with limited savings, losing income can make everyday expenses difficult to cover. When she shared her story, Jocelyn was undergoing chemotherapy, and her husband was unable to work due to health reasons. The retirement savings they had built were no longer there to fall back on.

"We never thought we would be in this position. We worked our whole lives," she said.

With neither able to work, grocery costs added to the financial pressure.

"Costs are through the roof. It's just so hard," she said.