CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot Project
AB 1811, Chapter 35, (2018), added Welfare and Institutions Code 10072.3 and created the California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project. The goal of the pilot project was to develop and refine a scalable model for increasing the purchase and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by delivering supplemental benefits to CalFresh recipients in a way that could be easily adopted by USDA FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) authorized retailers of various types, sizes, and locations in the future. The California Department of Social Services EBT, in partnership with CalFresh, the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration (OTSI), and the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) awarded three grants to non-profit organizations to meet this goal.
CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project (CF&V) Update
Due to limited remaining funding, the CF&V Pilot Project is expected to pause beginning July 1, 2026. Additional updates, including any restarts of the pilot, will be posted to this webpage as they become available.
Participating Retailers and Farmers Markets:
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Pilot Grantee
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Grocery Partner or Farmers’ Market
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Impacted County
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Fullwell
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Arteaga’s Food Center
- 204 Willow St, San Jose, CA 95110
- 6906 Automall Pkwy, Gilroy, CA 95020
- 1003 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
- 2620 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116
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Santa Clara
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Fullwell
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Santa Fe Foods
- 860 White Rd, San Jose, CA 95127
- 7356 Thornton Ave, Newark, CA 94560
- 1017 N Main St, Salinas, CA 93906
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Santa Clara
Alameda
Monterey
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Fullwell
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Harvest Market
- 171 Boatyard Dr, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
- 10501 Lansing St, Mendocino, CA 95460
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Mendocino
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Ecology Center
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LA River Farmers’ Market (Food Access Los Angeles)
- 1245 N Spring St., Los Angeles CA 90012
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Los Angeles
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UC San Diego Center for Community Health at the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute at the UCSD
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Mothers Nutritional Center
All 82 locations
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Los Angeles
Orange
Riverside
San Bernardino
San Diego
Imperial
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Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is happening?
- The CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable (CF&V) EBT Pilot Project is expected to pause beginning July 1, 2026, During the pause, participants will no longer earn new CF&V incentive dollars when purchasing eligible fruits and vegetables at participating locations.
- What is changing?
- Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible participants may no longer receive new CF&V incentive dollars at participating retailers and farmers’ markets while the project is paused. Previously earned incentive benefits remaining on EBT cards may still be used until they expire.
- Why is the pilot pausing?
- The CF&V Pilot Project had another successful phase and funding is not currently available. Please continue to revisit this webpage to learn when new funding will be made available to restart the project.
- Who is eligible?
- All current and former CalFresh households with an active EBT food balance who shop at participating retailers and farmers’ markets are eligible. While the project is paused, no additional CF&V incentives will be issued. Previously earned incentive benefits remaining on EBT cards may still be used until they expire.
- Where can I use the incentive?
- While the incentive can only be earned at approved grocery stores and farmers’ markets participating in the pilot, once earned they can be used at any retailer that accepts CalFresh EBT cards. Previously earned CF&V incentive benefits may continue to be used anywhere CalFresh EBT benefits are accepted until the benefits expire.
- How much can I receive?
- You can receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $60 per month when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. While the project is paused, participants will not receive new CF&V incentive dollars.
- Do I need to sign up or complete any forms?
- No application or forms are required. However, while the project is paused, no new CF&V incentive benefits will be issued.
- What happens if I do not spend earned benefits?
- Once earned, incentive benefits are yours to keep. You do not have to spend down your incentives to receive additional incentives the following month.
Your CalFresh benefits, including CF&V incentive benefits, only expire if you do not make an EBT food purchase for 270 days. Once they expire, you cannot get them back.
- Does pausing the CF&V Pilot affect my regular CalFresh benefits?
- No. Your CalFresh benefits will not change because of the CF&V Pilot pause.
- CF&V County Letters
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