Some low-income Californians are able to get more help when purchasing greener groceries at participating locations.The California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Program matches up to $60 a month in funds when CalFresh food benefits are used to buy fruits and vegetables.The California Department of Social Services launched this program to help those strapped for cash, especially during a time when many grocery items are more expensive. This program is in effect in 10 counties, including Sacramento County.This comes after additional CalFresh food assistance benefits administered during the pandemic came to an end in February amid inflation."A lot of families across the state are seeing a reduction in their benefits that had been a lot higher over the last few years because of COVID-19," said Grecia Márquez Niebla with the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR). SPUR is one of three nonprofit organizations that are helping meet the goal.The pilot program's focus is increasing the purchase and consumption of California-grown fruits and vegetables.More than 5 million Californians use CalFresh to help put food on their tables. In Sacramento County, there are currently 140,000 CalFresh cases, including those who also get Cash-Aid and Medi-Cal.While no supermarkets are participating in Sacramento County yet, there are two farmers markets that are part of the program. These are the Country Club Plaza Farmers Market at 2405 Butano Drive in Sacramento and the Sunrise Station Farmers Market at Sunrise & Folsom boulevards in Rancho Cordova."We see a really high turnout, and we work really closely with the county and our local food banks to get the word out that we provide these services, so we typically see an increase in CalFresh customers this time of year as we get into the spring and summer months," said Emma Burke, the farmers markets program manager at Alchemist Community Development.Alchemist Community Development is operating CalFresh booths at each of the farmers' markets where they help recipients use EBT food benefits and get their cash back to use for more food.CalFresh recipients don't have to take additional steps — once they purchase the qualifying fruits and vegetables, the money is applied directly to their EBT accounts.This pilot program was approved for one year, coming to an end in December 2023.People coming from other counties and who shop at participating places will also get the money back. SPUR is working with lawmakers on Assembly Bill 605. The measure would set aside funding for incentives or support to retailers to expand these kinds of programs across the state.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Some low-income Californians are able to get more help when purchasing greener groceries at participating locations.
The California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Program matches up to $60 a month in funds when CalFresh food benefits are used to buy fruits and vegetables.
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The California Department of Social Services launched this program to help those strapped for cash, especially during a time when many grocery items are more expensive. This program is in effect in 10 counties, including Sacramento County.
This comes after additional CalFresh food assistance benefits administered during the pandemic came to an end in February amid inflation.
"A lot of families across the state are seeing a reduction in their benefits that had been a lot higher over the last few years because of COVID-19," said Grecia Márquez Niebla with the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR).
SPUR is one of three nonprofit organizations that are helping meet the goal.
The pilot program's focus is increasing the purchase and consumption of California-grown fruits and vegetables.
More than 5 million Californians use CalFresh to help put food on their tables. In Sacramento County, there are currently 140,000 CalFresh cases, including those who also get Cash-Aid and Medi-Cal.
While no supermarkets are participating in Sacramento County yet, there are two farmers markets that are part of the program. These are the Country Club Plaza Farmers Market at 2405 Butano Drive in Sacramento and the Sunrise Station Farmers Market at Sunrise & Folsom boulevards in Rancho Cordova.
"We see a really high turnout, and we work really closely with the county and our local food banks to get the word out that we provide these services, so we typically see an increase in CalFresh customers this time of year as we get into the spring and summer months," said Emma Burke, the farmers markets program manager at Alchemist Community Development.
Alchemist Community Development is operating CalFresh booths at each of the farmers' markets where they help recipients use EBT food benefits and get their cash back to use for more food.
CalFresh recipients don't have to take additional steps — once they purchase the qualifying fruits and vegetables, the money is applied directly to their EBT accounts.
This pilot program was approved for one year, coming to an end in December 2023.
People coming from other counties and who shop at participating places will also get the money back. SPUR is working with lawmakers on Assembly Bill 605. The measure would set aside funding for incentives or support to retailers to expand these kinds of programs across the state.
