Fresno chef says ‘the system has failed’ as he feeds SNAP families during shutdown

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Fresno food truck is joining the fight against hunger as people on SNAP voice their disapproval of the government shutdown, with one recipient describing it as hunger being “weaponized.”

El Jabalito is a Filipino food truck often seen in Fresno that has been operating at street markets and pop-up events for the past two years. Owner and chef Jake Alcoseba traveled the world studying food before starting his food truck business.

“Spain originally, then afterwards, I did a little stint in Taiwan, and then I went to the Philippines,” Alcoseba said. “And I brought it all back here.”

Alcoseba says that after hearing about the cuts to SNAP benefits, his wife suggested directly helping those affected by it. On Friday, El Jabalito started offering free adobo chicken and rice bowls at Eaton Plaza to every child who turned up, as long as families provided proof of receiving SNAP.

“Obviously, the system has failed and we’re just trying to give back what we can,” Alcoseba said.

Alcoseba attributes his desire to feed others to his strong connection to his Filipino heritage.

“For us as Filipinos, right when you come into a house, the first thing they ask you, everyone knows it’s, ‘Have you eaten yet?’” Alcoseba said. “It’s just it’s part of who we are.”

Among those in the crowd was Kim, who asked that her last name not be shared and her face not be filmed. Kim is a pregnant mother of five who receives SNAP benefits and was able to feed her family on Friday thanks to El Jabalito.

“We live, you know, kind of paycheck to paycheck,” Kim said. “Without food stamps, we wouldn’t be able to pay the rest of our bills.”

According to Kim, although she is grateful for the local businesses and food banks for stepping up to help, she is frustrated with the federal government’s refusal to end the government shutdown.

“It’s inhumane to make all these people go hungry and all these kids go hungry,” Kim said. “So somebody’s got to give. They’re just like playing chicken…I feel like hunger is being weaponized.”

Alcoseba says moving forward, he would like to bring in a “pay it forward program” so that customers who’d like to buy a bowl for a family in need can do so.

Kim says Alcoseba’s program is a perfect example of how she tries to live her life and raise her kids.

“I have a pay-it-forward type of mentality,” Kim said. “If I can help somebody in need, I’m going to do it knowing that eventually it’s going to come back to me. If we’re not helping each other, then we’re going to get nowhere.”