I've been using these programs for about a year now and wanted to share a few more resources that might help! The California Department of Social Services has a "Store Locator" tool on their website that's pretty up-to-date for 2025. You can search by zip code to find participating stores near you. Also, if you have kids in school, sometimes the school nutrition programs have partnerships with local stores - my daughter's school sent home a flyer last fall with a list of nearby participating markets. One thing I learned the hard way - some stores require you to buy a minimum amount (like $5) of produce before the matching kicks in, while others will match even $1 purchases. The farmers markets are usually more flexible about small purchases. Also, if you're shopping with kids, the matching programs work great for letting them pick out fruits they're excited to try since you're getting more bang for your buck! My kids love going to the farmers market now because they know they can choose extra treats like berries or stone fruits that would normally be too expensive.

I'm new to CalFresh and just found out about these veggie programs - this thread is incredibly helpful! I had no idea there were so many different stores and markets that participate. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the farmers markets might be the most reliable option, even though I was initially worried about them being more expensive. The automatic matching at stores like Food 4 Less sounds really convenient too. One question - does anyone know if the program works for frozen California-grown vegetables too, or is it just fresh produce? Sometimes frozen is more practical with kids since it doesn't go bad as quickly. Also wondering if there are any apps that help track which stores near you participate, since it seems like the participating locations change pretty frequently. Thanks to everyone for sharing so much useful information!

I just went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago when I moved from Solano County to San Diego County! Your EBT card will definitely NOT be cancelled during the transfer - I was so worried about the same thing. Here's what actually happened with my transfer: - My existing balance (I had about $280) stayed on my card the entire time - Same card number, same PIN - absolutely nothing changed about the actual card - I could shop and use ATMs normally throughout the whole process - The transfer took about 12 days total, and my next month's benefits were only delayed by 4 days The most important thing I learned was to get everything in writing or at least get confirmation numbers. When I first reported my address change to San Diego County, I didn't get any kind of receipt, and it made me super anxious not knowing if they actually processed it. I ended up going in person a few days later just to confirm they had received my information. Also, don't be afraid to call both counties to check on the status. I called Sacramento to make sure they were properly closing my case and San Diego to track when the new case opened. Having those reference points really helped when I had questions. Your $340 is completely safe - that money is already yours and tied to your EBT account, not to any specific county office. The worst that might happen is a short delay with your next monthly deposit, but even then they'll backdate it so you don't lose anything. You've got this! The system really is designed to keep people's benefits intact during moves, even when the process feels stressful.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works with CalFresh recipients regularly - your EBT card will absolutely remain active during the county transfer! The card is issued by the state of California, not individual counties, so it stays valid statewide regardless of which county office is handling your case. Your $340 is completely safe and will remain accessible throughout the entire transfer process. The EBT system is designed specifically to prevent benefit interruptions during moves like this. Your card number, PIN, and account remain exactly the same. The only thing that might be delayed is your next monthly benefit deposit while the counties coordinate the case transfer, but any delays are typically just a few days to maybe 2 weeks at most. And even if there is a delay, they'll backdate your benefits to your normal issuance date so you don't lose any money. My advice: Get a confirmation number or case reference from San Diego County, and don't hesitate to follow up every few days to check your transfer status. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these government systems! But rest assured, your current funds are protected during this transition.

I've been through this exact situation before! The good news is that county systems do keep detailed call logs, and most workers document everything as they go. When you call back, they should be able to pull up notes from your previous call and see exactly where you left off. Here's what worked for me: I called back the next day and explained that my call dropped during the confirmation number part. The worker was able to see that the previous worker had already submitted the benefit restoration request in the system. My benefits were back on my card within 48 hours. Pro tip: Write down the date, time, and case worker's name (if they give it) for future reference. Also, some counties send text notifications when benefits are loaded, so keep an eye on your phone! You've got this - the system isn't perfect but they do want to help get your benefits restored.

This is so frustrating! I had something similar happen where my phone died during an important call with the county. From my experience, they definitely keep records of all calls in their system - it's required for documentation purposes. When you call back tomorrow, have your case number ready and tell them exactly what time you called yesterday. Ask them to look up the case notes from that specific call. The worker you spoke with likely already started processing your benefit restoration before the call dropped, so there's a good chance it's already in progress. If for some reason they can't find the record (which would be unusual), don't let them brush you off. Ask to speak with a supervisor and explain the situation. Your benefits are important and they should work with you to resolve this quickly. Also, check your EBT card balance periodically over the next day or two - sometimes benefits get restored faster than they tell you. Good luck, and I hope you get this sorted out soon so you can get groceries for your kids!

This entire thread has been so educational and heartwarming to read! As someone who just joined this community and is navigating CalFresh for the first time, I was really nervous about potentially making mistakes or losing my card. Seeing how everyone rallied around Sean with practical advice, reassurance, and zero judgment shows what an amazing support network this is. The tips about photographing the card, calling 211, and knowing that replacements are totally normal have all been incredibly valuable. Sean, I'm so glad everything worked out and you found help through the food pantry! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps newcomers like me feel more confident about accessing these benefits.

This whole thread has been such a perfect example of why I love being part of this community! As someone who's still pretty new to both CalFresh and this forum, reading through Sean's experience and everyone's helpful responses has been incredibly reassuring. I was actually wondering about this exact scenario myself - what happens if you lose your EBT card multiple times - and now I feel so much more prepared if it ever happens to me. The practical tips everyone shared (like the 211 number, photographing your card, and knowing that replacements are totally normal) are going to be lifesavers for so many people. Sean, I'm really glad everything worked out with the food pantry helping you bridge the gap! It's amazing how this community turns what could be a really stressful situation into a learning opportunity for everyone. Thank you all for being so welcoming and supportive to newcomers like me!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm about 10 months into my CalFresh journey and thankfully haven't hit this processing delay issue yet, but reading through everyone's experiences has me feeling so much more prepared if it happens. What really stands out to me is how @StellarSurfer and @Zara Malik both experienced the exact same issue at the same time - that really does suggest it was a system-wide glitch rather than individual account problems. I love how @GalacticGladiator broke down the three possible causes so clearly, and the Claimyr tip from @Aisha Hussain is golden - I'm definitely bookmarking that for future reference since those county office hold times are absolutely insane. It's also really comforting to hear from @Seraphina Delan that this is just a recurring quirk that happens a few times a year. The fact that everyone came back with updates once their benefits appeared really shows what makes this community special - people actually follow through to help future readers who might face the same situation. Thanks to everyone for turning what could have been a really scary experience into such a valuable learning resource for all of us!

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm completely new to CalFresh (just got my approval letter yesterday actually!) and stumbled across this community while doing research about what to expect. Reading about @StellarSurfer's experience with the processing delay was initially a bit scary since I had no idea this could happen, but seeing how quickly everyone rallied with support and practical solutions really shows what an incredible resource this community is. The detailed explanation from @GalacticGladiator about the three possible causes is exactly the kind of insider knowledge you just can't get from official government sources, and the Claimyr tip from @Aisha Hussain is definitely going in my bookmarks for future reference. What really impressed me most was how @StellarSurfer, @Zara Malik, and @Sean Kelly all came back with updates once their benefits appeared - that follow-through is so valuable for people who might face this same issue in the future. As someone who's about to navigate this system for the first time, it's incredibly reassuring to know there's a community of experienced members who are willing to share both their knowledge and their support. Thanks to everyone for creating such a welcoming and helpful environment - I'm grateful to have found this place before I even get my first deposit!