HARD TIMES: The federal government, which pays for food stamps, shelled out $2.6 million in the county last May for the program, just over $40 per recipient (above). . . . County officials say the jump since 1988 is due partly to a federal law requiring promotion of the program. . . . A county official says, "Unemployment is increasing, the economy is soft, so we think that food stamps will continue to grow."

Food Stamp Demand

Number of individuals receiving food stamps in Orange County, in thousands:

1988: 44.5

'89: 54.3

'90: 66.4

Source: California Dept. of Social Services