CalFresh F&V EBT Pilot Program - Updated 11/21/25
Great News! The CalFresh Fruit & Veggie EBT Program Is Back!*
(*Subject to Funding Availability)
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is happening?
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The CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable (CF&V) EBT Pilot Project has restarted on November 17, 2025. Eligible CalFresh households will once again receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $60/month when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers and farmers’ markets.
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You can now start earning incentive dollars at any Mother's Nutritional Center.
Who is eligible?
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All current and former CalFresh households with an active EBT food balance who shop at participating retailers and farmers’ markets are eligible.
Where can I use the incentive?
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You can spend your nutrition incentive dollars that you have earned anywhere you can use your CalFresh EBT card.
Does restarting the CF&V Pilot affect my regular CalFresh benefits?
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No. Your regular CalFresh benefits will remain the same. The CF&V incentive is a temporary, additional benefit and is not considered income for any public assistance program, including cash aid.
Do I need to sign up or complete any forms?
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No. Incentives will be issued automatically when you use your CalFresh benefits to buy eligible produce at participating locations.
What happens if I do not spend earned benefits?
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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.
How much can I receive?
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You can receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $60/month when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.
What is changing?
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Starting November 17, 2025, incentive dollars will automatically be added to your EBT account when you use your CalFresh benefits to buy eligible fresh fruits and vegetables at participating locations. Households do not need to apply; incentives will be added at the time of purchase.
Why is the pilot restarting?
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The 2025–26 State Budget included dedicated funding to relaunch the CF&V Pilot Project. This allows new and former CF&V participants to extend their benefits to access healthy fruit and vegetables with their CalFresh EBT card.
How long will the program last?
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The program will continue as long as funding remains available.
CalFresh F&V EBT Pilot Program
How to Earn and Redeem Nutrition Incentives
Step 1
Use your Calfresh EBT card to buy any fresh fruits and vegetables at any Mother's Nutritional Center store across Southern California!
Step 2
For every $1 you spend, earn $1 back on your CalFresh EBT card, up to $60 per month.
Step 3
Spend the Fruit and Veggie EBT incentive that you have earned at on any CalFresh EBT eligible food at any EBT authorized retailer.
What is CalFresh F&V EBT Pilot Project?
The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project in partnership between UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Center for Community Health, Mother's Nutritional Center and the California Department of Social Services.
This project rewards CalFresh EBT participants when they purchase any fresh fruits and vegetables with their CalFresh EBT benefits at any Mother's Nutritional Center store across Southern California.
For every $1 of your CalFresh EBT that you spend on any fresh fruits and vegetables, you get $1 back on your CalFresh EBT card (up to $60 per month) that you can spend on any CalFresh-eligible food (e.g. more fruits and vegetables, bread, grains, nuts, dairy, meat, etc.).
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