Does CalFresh EBT give cashback for fresh produce purchases?

Your friend might be thinking of the CalFresh Healthy Eating Initiative program. But that's NOT automatic across all of California - it's only at certain participating farmers markets and some grocery stores that have signed up for the program. They call it 'Market Match' or sometimes 'Double Up Food Bucks' depending on where you live. You spend $10 on fruits and veggies, they match it with another $10 (up to a certain amount). But it happens AT the time of purchase, not as a rebate later. And definitely NOT at regular grocery stores unless they specifically advertise it.

There's no automatic cashback for produce purchases with regular CalFresh EBT. Your friend is probably referring to the Market Match program available at farmers markets, where they match your CalFresh dollars (usually up to $10-20) when you buy fresh produce. In 2025, about 270 farmers markets throughout California participate. You have to spend EBT at the market info booth first, then they give you extra tokens or vouchers to spend. This is different from regular EBT purchases at grocery stores which don't have any rebate feature.

yeah ur friend is talking about market match, i LOVE that program!!! i get like $20 extra every weekend at the downtown farmers market when i spend my EBT there. but u gotta go specifically to places that do the match, its not everywhere. definitely worth checking out for the free $$$

The CA EBT system is a JOKE. Other states have better programs for produce incentives! In Michigan they have Double Up Food Bucks at ACTUAL GROCERY STORES, but here we only get matching at farmers markets which are only open certain days/times that don't work for many people with jobs!!! And then they wonder why low-income communities have health issues. I've been trying to get our county to expand this program for YEARS!

I've been trying to reach my county office for WEEKS to ask about the Market Match program in my area, but the CalFresh phone lines are impossibly backed up. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a live person at my county office in under 20 minutes. They connected me directly to someone who could tell me all the participating markets in my county and how their specific matching program works. Saved me so much frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

So I work with a local food advocacy non-profit, and I want to clarify a few things. The program your friend mentioned is real, but there are actually SEVERAL different healthy food incentive programs in California that work with CalFresh: 1. Market Match: At farmers markets, typically matches $10-20 of CalFresh spent on produce 2. Double Up Food Bucks: Similar to Market Match but run by different organizations 3. California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP): Some grocery stores participate 4. Locally-run incentive programs: Some counties have their own versions None of these automatically add money back to your EBT card after purchase. They provide the additional funds at the time of purchase, usually as vouchers or tokens. To find participating locations, visit: cafreshincentives.org

When I got calfresh last year they gave me a pamphlet with all this info but I threw it away cause I didn't think id need it lol. I know at my farmers market u gotta go to this special booth first and swipe your EBT card there, not at individual vendors. The lady gives u tokens to spend AND bonus tokens for free!! But my sister in LA says her market does it differently with paper coupons.

To answer your original question directly: No, the standard CalFresh EBT program does not automatically provide cashback or rebates when you purchase fresh produce at regular grocery stores. What your friend was referring to are special incentive programs that operate at specific locations like farmers markets and select grocery stores. These programs provide matching funds (typically dollar-for-dollar up to a limit) at the time of purchase, not as a rebate after. In 2025, California has expanded these programs, but you still need to seek out participating locations. I recommend downloading the CalFresh app which now includes a map feature showing all locations offering produce incentives near you.

I was so confused about this too when I first heard about it! To find participating farmers markets in your area, text your zip code to 898211 and they'll send you a list of markets that offer Market Match or similar programs. The system was updated for 2025 and now covers more locations. I take my kids to our local market every Saturday and use the match for strawberries and their favorite veggies - the extra $15 we get makes a huge difference!

I've been using CalFresh for about 3 years and just learned about these programs last month! What really helped me was calling 211 (the helpline) - they connected me to a local food resource coordinator who walked me through all the different programs in my county. Turns out there's a grocery store just 2 miles from me that does the matching program on Wednesdays and Fridays! I had no idea because they don't really advertise it well. Also found out some food banks offer fresh produce vouchers that work similarly. Definitely worth making that call if you're having trouble finding info online.