How to use CalFresh fruit and vegetable benefits on EBT card?

You might be thinking of the CalFresh Healthy Bonus program that gives some households extra money specifically for fruits and vegetables. It should all be loaded onto the same EBT card, but the app sometimes doesn't show it separately. When you check out at the store, just buy whatever produce you want - fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and veggies are all eligible! The cashier doesn't need to do anything special and it'll automatically use your benefits. I had the same confusion when I started using CalFresh last year.

wats healthy bonus? never heard of it. i just use my ebt card 4 all food purchases. nobody ever told me about extra $ for veggies

There's sometimes confusion about this! There are actually two possible programs you might be referring to: 1. The standard CalFresh benefits - these can be used to purchase ANY eligible food items including all fruits and vegetables. This is just your regular EBT balance. 2. Market Match/California Nutrition Incentive Program - this is a separate program that lets you get FREE additional fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets when you use your EBT card. For example, you spend $10 of your CalFresh benefits at a farmers market, and they give you an extra $10 to spend on fruits and vegetables. To use Market Match, just go to a participating farmers market, swipe your EBT card at the main booth, and they'll give you tokens or vouchers including the bonus amount. The CalFresh website has a list of all participating markets. Hope this helps clarify!

they dont care what u buy as long as its food. i tried buying toilet paper once and got denied but all food is ok. get whatever fruits n veggies u want

I was completely confused about this too when I first got CalFresh! The way it works at my county is that they put all the money on one card, but apparently the system tracks the regular CalFresh vs. the fruit/veggie bonus separately behind the scenes. My caseworker explained that I don't have to do anything special - just buy whatever eligible foods I want with the card, and if I buy fruits and vegetables, it will automatically deduct from the produce bonus first. I've been having TERRIBLE luck trying to reach someone at the county office to get more details though. Called like 15 times last week and kept getting disconnected. So frustrating trying to get basic information! Has anyone else had this problem?

The confusion comes from two different programs that you might be eligible for: 1. Standard CalFresh benefits - can be used for all eligible food items including produce 2. California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot - this program is active in certain counties and gives qualifying households (especially those with children) additional funds specifically for fruits and vegetables If you were notified about extra produce benefits, you're likely in a pilot county. The extra amount (typically $55-65/month in 2025) is automatically added to your EBT card. When you purchase qualifying fruits and vegetables, the system will automatically use the special produce funds first before touching your regular CalFresh balance. The easiest way to check if you have this benefit is to look at your last EBT receipt - it will show if some of your purchase came from the produce bonus funds. You can also check your remaining balances by calling the EBT customer service number on the back of your card and it will tell you both balances separately.

do u need to buy organic??? cuz thats way more $$$ i cant afford that even with ebt