Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 11/21/25

What is happening?

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.
You can now start earning incentive dollars at any Mother's Nutritional Center.

Who is eligible?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

You can receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $60/month when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.

What is changing?

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?

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?

The program will continue as long as funding remains available.

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How do I know how much I earned?

Your transaction receipt will tell you how many nutrition incentive dollars you've earned today and how much you have earned this month. All you need to use then next time is to swipe your CalFresh EBT card like you normally would.

Do the nutrition incentives that I have earned expire?

The nutrition incentives that you have earned don't expire. You can spend them next time you buy groceries. You can keep track of nutrition dollars that you have earned on your receipts or you can call the EBT Customer Service Helpline at (877) 328-9677 or go online at https://www.ebt.ca.gov/cardholder/

Can I spend the nutrition incentives that I have earned anywhere else?

You can spend your nutrition incentive dollars that you have earned anywhere you can use your CalFresh EBT card.

Can I spend my nutrition incentives that I have earned on fruits and vegetables too?

Yes, the CalFresh EBT nutrition incentive dollars that you have earned can be spent on any CalFresh EBT eligible food. That includes fruit and vegetables, bread, grains, nuts, dairy, meat, etc.

Do you have information about the pilot/program in other languages other than English?

Yes, we have information in English and Spanish about how the program works.

Do I have to earn all of the $60 maximum in one transaction?

No, you can earn nutrition incentive dollars anytime during the month to earn up to $60. The following month you will be able to earn another $60, as well as spend any nutrition incentive dollars that you have not spent from the previous months, since they carry over each month, until they are spent.

How long will this pilot program be operating?

Since this is a pilot program, it'll be available until the funds for this program runs out.

Do I have to redeem my earned benefit today?

You can redeem your earned benefits on any future transaction.

When will the nutrition incentives be available on my card?

Nutrition incentive dollars get added into your EBT card immediately after completing a qualifying purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables with your CalFresh EBT Card.

Can I earn incentives by using my eWIC card?

No, the CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot Project is only for CalFresh EBT recipients.

I am a CalFresh EBT recipient, but not an eWIC recipient. Can I still shop the CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot Project at your stores?

Yes, you do not have to be on the eWIC program to shop at our stores. If you are not on the eWIC program, but are a CalFresh EBT recipient, you can shop under the pilot project at our stores.

Do I have to be on eWIC to shop at your stores?

No, we are open to the public and accept: cash, credit, debit, eWIC, EBT, and P-EBT.

How can I provide input or feedback on this program?

Every time you earn incentive dollars, your transaction receipt will include information on how you can participate in a survey to provide input and feedback on the program.

All you need to do is to scan the QR code at the bottom of your receipt with the camera on your cell phone and you will be able to participate in the survey. You can also access the survey link via the EBT cardholder portal at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6941225/EBT/