Resources to Stretch Your Food Dollars
Find a farmers' market near you
What is CalFresh EBT? (formerly known as Food Stamps)
The CalFresh Program helps single people and families with little or no income to buy food. In Santa Clara County, people authorized to receive CalFresh benefits can buy food by using the EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer)/Food Stamps card at a grocery store and some farmers' markets in the county. To see if you are eligible for the CalFresh program, call 1-877-847-3663 or visit the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency website.
Use your CalFresh EBT at a local farmers' market and double your money with Market Match
When you use your CalFresh EBT card at a Market Match participating farmers' market, you can double your money, up to $15 free per day. To see which markets offer the Market Match program, look for the markets with an orange star next to them. Access the farmers' market list here.
Did you know that most farmers' markets in Santa Clara County, now accept CalFresh EBT making it easier for you to buy fresh, local produce in your neighborhood. To see which markets accept CalFresh EBT, look for the markets with a green star next to them. Access the farmers' market list here. You can also go to the Ecology Center website to find a farmers' market near you.
How do I use my CalFresh EBT card at the farmers' market?
It's as easy as 1-2-3!
Go to the information booth and tell the market manager how many CalFresh dollars you would like to spend at the market.
The market manager will swipe your CalFresh EBT card and give you CalFresh/Market Match dollars to spend just like cash at the market.
Use the CalFresh/Market Match dollars to purchase fresh and affordable food at the market.
Why shop at the farmers' markets?
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Fresh: Farmers' Markets offer the freshest produce. Produce is often harvested the same day of the market. While you are eating the freshest food, you are eating the healthiest food too!
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Fun: Farmers' markets are a fun place to meet up with friends, listen to music, and catch a cooking demonstration while you shop outside.
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Safe: When you buy locally grown food, you know where your food is coming from and you can meet the people who grow it.
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Affordable: Buying fruit and vegetables when they are in-season saves money. Remember many farmers' markets accept CalFresh EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) and WIC Farmers' Market Checks
CA Fruit and Veggie EBT Pilot Program
Get more fruits and vegetables when you spend your CalFresh EBT dollars at participating grocery stores. For each $1 of your CalFresh EBT that you spend on fruits and vegetables, you earn $1 back onto your CalFresh EBT card to spend on eligible foods. Learn more about the CA Fruit and Veggie Pilot Program.
CalFresh Restaurant Meals program
If you are elderly, disabled or homeless, you can use your CalFresh EBT card to purchase prepared food from restaurants participating in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program. Currently, there are many restaurants participating in the CalFresh Restaurants Meals Program. View the CalFresh Restaurant Meals program list for participating restaurants.
For more information, contact:
Healthy Communities Branch
1775 Story Road
Suite 120
San Jose, CA 95122
United States