CalFresh Program Relaunches To Make Healthy Food More Affordable

A CalFresh program relaunched in November to make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable. Through a historic investment of $36 million secured by Assemblymember Alex Lee, the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program will once again be able to serve tens of thousands of Californians statewide. 

For every $1 of CalFresh benefits spent on any fresh fruits and vegetables at a participating retailer, including a number of Bay Area grocery stores, CalFresh recipients get $1 back on their EBT card to spend on any CalFresh-eligible food for up to $60 monthly.

“The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program is a lifeline for Californians who live paycheck to paycheck to access healthy food. By relaunching the program, we are providing critical relief for people hit hard by the Republican federal government shutdown,” said Assemblymember Lee, Chair of the Human Services Committee. “The program is a proven solution in reducing hunger, serving as a national model in ensuring nutritious and affordable meals for families.”

Tens of thousands of people have benefited from the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program. Since the program first launched in 2023, more than 90,000 CalFresh families have earned a combined total of over $10.5 million in rebates. Colorado, Rhode Island and Washington have also launched similar initiatives to increase access to healthy meals. 

For CalFresh recipient Sylvia Baruch, the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program has gone a long way in helping her and her husband afford nutritious meals and sustaining their health. She looks forward to being a part of the program once again. 

“Words can’t express how the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program has benefited my family,” said Sylvia. “In these difficult economic times, the extra CalFresh benefits make such a difference for families like mine. Not only does it support our health, but receiving the free fruits and vegetables also helps us financially by stretching our food budget.” 

Over 90 grocery stores statewide are participating in the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program. 

“With the cost of food skyrocketing, families are feeling the strain at the checkout line,” said Lupe Lopez, President of Arteaga’s Food Center, which has 4 stores in Santa Clara County participating in the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program. “Produce assistance programs are not luxuries—they are lifelines. They ensure that hardworking families can continue to put food on the table and maintain a healthy diet. Access to nutritious food should never be a privilege, it should be a basic right for every household.”

The program is also available at Santa Fe Foods’ grocery stores in Santa Clara, Alameda, and Monterey counties.

“By partnering with this initiative, we’re not only empowering our customers to make healthier choices but also supporting local farmers and strengthening the food systems that sustain our neighborhoods,” the owners of Santa Fe Foods said in a joint statement. “We’re committed to ensuring a seamless experience for CalFresh shoppers at 3 of our locations, and we look forward to seeing the transformative impact this program will have on the families and communities we serve.” 

Sponsors of the effort to relaunch the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program released the following statements: 

"With hunger on the rise and federal cuts to the safety net, we are thankful that the Governor and Legislature have demonstrated their commitment to low-income Californians by reinvesting in the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program," said Eli Zigas, Executive Director of Fullwell. "The program’s comeback means tens of thousands of families across the state will once again have an easier time affording fresh fruits and vegetables, just in time to bring some much-needed relief during the holiday season. This effective and efficient program is not just a win for CalFresh families — it's also a smart investment in our farmers, our local economies, and the overall health and well-being of our communities."  

"Food is at the heart of the holiday season. Restarting the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program ensures Californians have access to fresh foods during this critical time of year,” said Betzabel Estudillo, Chief Engagement Officer with Nourish California. “We are grateful to the Governor and Legislature for their leadership in making this possible, so families can focus on celebrating the holidays with the foods they need and want."