What is it? 

The CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable (CF&V) EBT Pilot is a California project overseen by the California Department of Social Services (DPSS) offered at select locations across the state. The goal of this pilot project is to develop and refine a scalable nutrition incentive model that encourages CalFresh shoppers to purchase and consume fresh fruits and vegetables. 

For every dollar CalFresh shoppers choose to spend at participating markets on fresh fruits and vegetables, they will get an extra dollar that they can spend on any CalFresh eligible item (more fruits and veggies, bread, grains, nuts, dairy, meat, etc.).

Think instant rebate. CalFresh shoppers are eligible to get up to an extra $60 per month, per household/card. 

Food Access Los Angeles has participated in the roll out of this project since it officially launched in 2023. You may have participated when it was available at Atwater Village Farmers’ Market (March 2023-March 2024) and Crenshaw Farmers’ Market (November 2024-January 2025). This reboot will be offered at LA River Farmers’ Market starting Thursday, November 6 and based on the most recent allocation of funding, we expect it to operate though November 2026, though this is subject to change based on state funds. 

Currently, LA River Farmers’ Market is the only farmers’ market in the state participating in this pilot.

How Does It Work? 

1. Spend CalFresh Food Stamp benefits (no Cash benefits) on fruits and veggies ($1-$60/month)

2. Instantly get CalFresh Food Stamp benefits back onto your card in the same amount as the fruit and veggie purchase ($1-$60/month)

3. Choose when to spend your rebate:

1. Spend all of the EBT earned back, now, at LA River FM

2. Keep all of the extra EBT earned on your card to use another time 

3. Spend some of the extra EBT now and keep some for later (this requires a separate transaction)

Important to Note: 

• Must spend EBT on fruits & veggies at this market to get the rebate. 

• Your EBT balance must be able to buy fruits and veggies first in order to get the rebate. This means you must have a balance of at least $10 in Food Stamp Benefits. 

• The $60 available rebate counts between participating sites, not unique sites. For example, if you earn a $40 rebate at Mother’s Nutritional Center,  you will only be eligible to earn $20 (remaining balance of the $60) at LA River Farmers’ Market. We are not able to run balance checks for the remaining rebate. Shoppers must keep track of how much they’ve earned that month. This information can be found at the bottom of the purchase receipt or by calling 877-328-9677. We strongly recommend holding onto your receipts. 

• Monthly limit resets to $60 on the 1st of the month. There are no roll overs.