Is CalFresh fruit and vegetable dollar match program active in 2025?

Yes! The Market Match program is active again in 2025. It's now permanent and expanded beyond just farmers markets to some grocery stores too. They rebranded it as \

Thank you!!! This is incredible news. I didn't know they made it permanent or that some grocery stores have it too! Do you know which stores? The website isn't loading for me.

i was at the santa monica market last sat and they definetely have it!! but the line for the tokens was CRAZY long so get there early. they gave me wooden tokens for the match amount and vendors only take those for fruits/veggies not other stuff like bread or honey fyi

I LOVE the Market Match program!! It's literally the only way I can afford organic produce for my family. I go to the Richmond farmers market every Sunday and they do up to $40 match there. Totally worth it even with the token hassle.

The program is officially called

This is really helpful information! I didn't realize there were so many specific rules. I've been trying to call my county office for days but can't get through. Always on hold forever then disconnected. So frustrating!

I tried using this last month and got rejected because my EBT card is from CalWORKs not CalFresh. Apparently they're different even though they both give you food money??? So confusing. Anyone know if CalWORKs qualifies or not?

CalWORKs and CalFresh are different programs, but you might have both benefits on the same EBT card. CalWORKs is cash aid (shows as \

Omg thank you for explaining!! I just checked my EBT app and I DO have both CASH and FOOD balances. I must have tried to use the CASH part last time. Will try again with the FOOD option.

If you're having trouble getting through to the CalFresh office about this program or anything else, try using Claimyr. I was in the same boat - kept getting disconnected after waiting forever. With Claimyr.com, they wait on hold with the county office FOR YOU and then call you when a real person answers. Saved me literally hours of hold time. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 \n\nI used it last month when my benefits were delayed and they got me connected to a worker in about 45 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own.

Thank you for this tip!! Just checked out their site and this seems like exactly what I need. I spent 2+ hours on hold yesterday only to get disconnected. Going to try this service tomorrow morning.

YES the program is back but its EXTREMELY limited in some counties!!! My county only has ONE farmers market that participates and its only open on tuesday mornings when most people WORK! So annoying how they advertise these programs but make them impossible to actually use!!! And the tokens are such a hassle, why cant they just apply the discount directly when you swipe your EBT???

The token system is definitely clunky, but it's because of how the funding works - the match money comes from different sources than regular CalFresh benefits. The good news is that several grocery store chains are piloting direct discount programs now. Food 4 Less, Northgate González Markets, and some Vons locations in Southern California are testing a system where the discount applies right at checkout. Should be expanding statewide by late 2025.

Ok that actually makes me feel better to know theres a legit reason for the tokens and that its improving. thx for explaining instead of just saying \

This program has been life changing for my family! We've been doing Market Match for about 6 months now at our local farmers market, and my kids are actually eating vegetables now lol. The quality is so much better than what I can afford at regular stores. One tip - make friends with vendors toward the end of market day. They sometimes throw in extras that would otherwise go to waste! My favorite tomato guy usually gives me double what I pay for in the last 30 minutes.

That's such a smart tip about going at the end of the market day! I'm definitely going to try that. So glad to hear it's made such a difference for your family. Gives me hope!

wait can u use this for herbs too??? or just fruit/veggies

Fresh culinary herbs (like basil, cilantro, mint, etc.) typically qualify as they're considered produce. But dried herbs, herbal teas, and medicinal herbs usually don't qualify for the matching funds. Each market might have slightly different rules though, so it's best to ask at the info booth when you get your tokens.

thx! gonna get some fresh basil then its so expensive at the store