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According to an UCLA study, nearly four million California adults in households with children, as well as low-income Latinos, could not afford to put sufficient food on the table during the recent recession.

These numbers rose during the 2007 recession and according to the study, people had to cut their food intake and experienced hunger.

California's unemployment rate was at its lowest in November 2006 - sitting at just 4.8 percent. Since then, it has steadily risen peaking at 12.4 percent in February 2010 and currently sitting at 10 .8 percent. California's household income decreased by nearly 5 percent between 2009 and 2010 - the largest decline on record. The national unemployment rate is currently 8.2 percent.

"With the economy still in a slump, many families are grappling with difficult choices: 'Do I pay the bills or buy food to feed my children?'", said study co-author Gail Harrison. "In a state that is the nation's breadbasket, it's sad to see that so many people don't know where their next meal is coming from."

More than half of the state's 6 million public school students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, yet less than 1 million children eat breakfast at school.

Struggling households are not alone in facing difficult food choices. This week, the House Agriculture Committee holds hearings on the farm bill, which funds the nation's largest anti-hunger program. In June, the Senate passed its version of the farm bill and made $4.5 billion in cuts to food stamp benefits.

"Congress can help families avoid food insecurity by maintaining an adequate and resilient safety net," said Matthew Sharp of California Food Policy Advocates, which funded the study.

Food insecurity is defined as not having enough food or not having enough income to ensure a balanced diet. According to the study, it is associated with poorer physical and mental health, including an increased risk of depression, diabetes and hypertension.

The study also noted that nearly half of low-income households with children could not afford sufficient food, and approximately 51 percent of Spanish-speaking, low-income adults experienced food insecurity - the highest level of food insecurity among all low-income groups.

Being married and employed doesn't always mean being stable. From 2001 to 2009, the inability to buy sufficient food rose among all low-income groups, including people who were married - up 29 percent to 40 percent - and those who were employed - up 28 percent to 43 percent.

According to researchers, Californians who are supported by safety-net programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) did not experience a higher risk of hunger. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) increased SNAP benefits by about 17 percent and those increases will expire in 2013.

"Without the ARRC, many Californians would be in much deeper poverty," Harrison said. "And with millions of Californians still struggling economically, 2013 is too soon to consider ending this important life-support for our poorest residents."