Calfresh Fruit and Veggie EBT Incentives: Frequently Asked Questions
Grid of produce in plastic bins stacked horizontally on shelf in grocery store
Who is able to participate in this program?
Any person or household receiving Calfresh benefits who buys CF&V eligible items at a participating location will receive supplemental benefits equal to the amount they spend on eligible items.
How are benefits earned?
A CalFresh participant buys fruits and veggies at a participating store or farmers’ market and earns a rebate equal to how much they spent. For example, if a CalFresh participant spends $3 on fruits and veggies, they get receive $3 in incentive benefits back to their EBT cards.
What items are CF&V eligible?
Any fruits or vegetables that meet the following definition are eligible at participating retailers: “any variety of whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils, or salt and that have not been processed with heat, drying, canning, or freezing."
How much in incentive benefits can I earn a month?
A CalFresh participant can earn up to a maximum of $60 per month. This does not mean that each individual person in one household can earn $60/month but rather than each household can receive $60/month.
Is there a limit for how much money can be earned in one transaction?
The limit of bonus dollars earned each transaction will depends on:
How many EBT dollars were spent on fruits and veggies. For example, if someone spends $10 of EBT but only $5 were fruits and veggies they will only earn $5 back.
How many EBT dollars are available to the Calfresh participant. For example, if the purchase total is $20 dollars of fruits and veggies but the participant only has $10 left on their EBT card so they can only receive a $10 rebate.
The limit also depends on how close the customer is to reaching the $60/month maximum. For example, if a customer has already earned a $55 bonus this month and spends $10 on fruits and veggies they will only receive a $5 rebate. That is because they will have reached their maximum $60.
How do I spend my bonus dollars?
A CalFresh participant can redeem their bonus dollars at any retail location that accepts EBT. Bonus dollars can be used across county lines and to buy any CalFresh eligible item.
Will CF&V incentive funds be rebated right away? Can they be spent right away?
Yes, CF&V bonus dollars will be added to customer accounts at the point of purchase. There is no waiting period so bonus dollars are available to spend immediately.
Which counties are participating in the pilot program?
Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Mendocino, Napa, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara. Please note that there is a limited number of participating locations in each county; not all EBT approved locations in each county are participating.
Can incentive benefits be redeemed in a county that is not participating in the pilot?
Yes.
Which retailers will be participating in the pilot?
Arteaga’s Food Center, Santa Fe Foods, Harvest Market, Mother’s Nutritional Center and a select number of farmers’ markets across the state. Location can be found here.
How long will the program be available?
Incentive benefits will be available at participating stores starting Fall 2024 through January 2025 or as long as funding is available.
Will incentive benefits be replaced if stolen electronically via skim or scam?
Yes, Incentive benefits will be eligible for replacement.
The project is made possible by AB 1811 (2018) and supported by the California Department of Social Services.
For more background, visit SPUR’s website.
