Abstract: Hebei low plain is the most overdraft area in the world and it is also one of the main food production regions in China. Different cropping patterns play very important role in water resources use and food safety. In order to investigate the utilization of water resources and food production, 12 kinds of cropping pattern including one crop per year, double crops per year and three crops for every two years were analyzed in Cangzhou City. Field experimental results and the regional historical data analysis were used to evaluate the water consumption, grain yield, water use efficiency and the effects on the groundwater. The results showed that the winter wheat - summer maize double cropping pattern had the highest water consumption (1683 mm), yield (30000 kg/hm²) and lowest economic water use efficiency and benefits [2.61 yuan/(mm·hm²)], which had the greatest impact on ground water balance. The cropping pattern for one crop per year had the least effect on the ground water balance. Comprehensive consideration from the ground water use and benefit, the cropping pattern for cotton - winter wheat- summer maize was the best cropping pattern [12.2 yuan/(mm·hm²)]. Therefore, the optimal cropping pattern in the Cangzhou City was the cotton - winter wheat - summer maize cropping pattern.