Where can I use my CalFresh EBT Fruit & Vegetable incentive money? Stores accepting F&V benefits?

I just found out about this last month! Not all stores take it yet which is SO frustrating. I know for sure farmers markets accept it (that's where I use mine), and I think Market Match doubles it too? But like actual grocery stores, I only know that some Food 4 Less locations take it. Walmart definitely doesn't in my experience.

The California Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot (CF&VP) is expanding but still limited to certain retailers. According to the CDSS website, participating stores currently include: - Select Food 4 Less locations - Most farmers markets (especially ones with Market Match) - Some smaller independent grocers - Select Northgate González Markets - Some ethnic grocery stores You can check the official list at the CDSS website, which it looks like someone shared with you: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/california-fruit-vegetable-ebt The program gives eligible households an extra 60% of their CalFresh benefits to spend specifically on fruits and vegetables. So if you get $200 in regular CalFresh, you'd get an additional $120 for fruits and vegetables at participating locations.

lol this program is useless to me cuz NONE of the stores near me accept it!!! like why even give me the benefit if i cant use it?? typical government efficiency 🙄 been sitting in my account for 2 months now

I've had success using Claimyr to get through to my county worker about this exact issue. After being stuck on hold and disconnected multiple times, I used their service (claimyr.com) and they got a caseworker to call me back within an hour. The worker emailed me a list of stores in my zip code that accept the fruit/veggie benefits. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Worth it to actually get someone on the phone who can help instead of waiting endlessly. My worker actually told me the program is expanding to more stores next month too.

I used mine at the farmers market and the asian grocery store by my house! Make sure you tell the cashier specifically that you want to use the fruit and vegetable benefits - at some stores they have to run it differently or push special buttons. One time the cashier didnt know about it and had to call a manager over who knew what to do.

it acually EXPIRES to!! my fruit veg money from january went away cuz i didnt know where 2 use it and now im SO MAD about it

OK so I checked that link and there's actually a store finder tool! If you go to https://www.cdss.ca.gov/california-fruit-vegetable-ebt and scroll down they have a "Find a Participating Retailer" section where you can search by county or zip code. Just did it myself and found 3 stores near me I didn't even know accepted it!

my freind told me 2 try the mexican markets around town cuz alot of them take it. if u have a northgate market near u they def take it

Just wanted to add that I've been using my F&V benefits at WinCo Foods too! Not sure if they're in every area but the one near me accepts them. The cashiers there seem pretty familiar with the program which makes checkout way easier. Also discovered that some Sprouts locations take them - called ahead to confirm before making the trip. One tip: I always check my EBT balance before shopping because the fruit/veggie money shows up as a separate balance on the app, so you can see exactly how much you have left to spend.