PD 26-01: CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Electronic Benefits Transfer Pilot Project
| Date: | 01/08/26 |
| To: | DEBS Eligibility Staff |
| From: | Rosa Villalobos, SSA BPIS |
| Reference: | ACWDL 11/20/25, ACL 23-18 |
Background
The CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable (CF&V) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Pilot Project relaunched on November 17, 2025. Ten counties, including Santa Clara County, are taking part in this pilot project. The Project's goal is to develop a scalable model within the EBT system to promote healthier eating by providing supplemental benefits to CalFresh participants statewide.
Guidance
Eligibility Criteria
CalFresh households with an active EBT food balance who shop at participating retailers or farmers’ markets are eligible to participate in the CF&V EBT pilot project.
Incentive Benefit Overview
CalFresh households can earn a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $60 per month, when using CalFresh benefits to buy eligible fresh fruits and vegetables at participating locations. Households do not need to apply; incentives are automatically added to the EBT account at the time of purchase, which can only be earned at approved grocery stores and farmers’ markets in the pilot.
Once earned, incentive benefits remain in the household’s EBT account for future use at any retailer accepting CalFresh EBT cards. Households may earn new incentives monthly, without spending previous balances.
CF&V incentive benefits only expire if the CalFresh household does not make an EBT food purchase for 270 days. Once CF&V incentives expire, they are permanently gone.
County Impact
The CF&V EBT pilot project does not impact CalFresh eligibility determination. CF&V incentive funds will be exempt from the calculation and recovery of overissuances and therefore cannot be used for such purpose. Additionally, CF&V incentive benefits are eligible for replacement if stolen electronically via skimming or scamming.
Cardholder Impact
Regular CalFresh benefits will remain unchanged. The CF&V incentive is a temporary, additional benefit. It is not considered income for any public assistance program, including cash aid.
CalFresh households taking part in the CF&V pilot may contact the EBT Customer Service Helpline at (877) 328-9677 to request balance inquiries, including incentive benefit balances, or dispute transactions involving CF&V incentive benefits. The Cardholder Portal will also display transaction details about earning and redeeming CF&V incentive benefits. The CF&V webpage also includes updated frequently asked questions.
Participating Retailers and Farmers' Markets
| Pilot Grantee | Grocery Partner or Farmers’ Market | Impacted County |
| Fullwell |
|
Santa Clara |
| Fullwell |
|
Santa Clara Alameda Monterey |
| Fullwell |
|
Mendocino |
| Ecology Center |
Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA)
|
Los Angeles |
| UC San Diego Center for Community Health at the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute |
|
Imperial Los Angeles Orange County Riverside San Bernardino San Diego |
Resources
For additional information and resources, CalFresh households can be referred to the following websites:
- How It Works - Double UP Food Bucks
- Resources to Stretch Your Food Dollars
- State Pilot Project Makes Fruit and Vegetables More Affordable for Low-Income County Residents.
Implementation
This Program Directive is effective immediately.