Where to find CalFresh Market Match retailers in San Joaquin County for extra produce benefits?
I just got my CalFresh EBT card last month and heard something about a program where they give you extra money for fruits and vegetables? I think it's called Market Match or Fresh Produce something? Does anyone know which stores or farmers markets in San Joaquin county participate in this program? I'm in Stockton area, but willing to drive a bit if needed. Really trying to stretch my benefits and get my kids eating healthier. TIA!
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Lucas Schmidt
You're looking for the CalFresh Market Match program! It's really great - they'll match your CalFresh dollars (usually up to $10-20 per visit) when you buy fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and some farm stands. For San Joaquin County, I know the Stockton Certified Farmers Market definitely participates. It's at Caldwell Park on Alpine Ave (Saturdays 8am-1pm). They match up to $15 per market day. Tracy Farmers Market also has it, and I think there's one in Manteca too. You can find the full list on the Market Match website or the Ecology Center site. Just bring your EBT card to the market manager's booth before shopping, tell them how much you want to spend, and they'll give you extra tokens or vouchers for fresh produce!
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Eloise Kendrick
•Thank you so much! I didn't know the one in Caldwell Park had this program. Do you know if it runs all year or just during certain months? Also, how does it work - do I just swipe my EBT card there?
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Freya Collins
I go to the Stockton one all the time its THE BEST!!!! They give u extra $15 when u spend $15 so basically DOUBLE food! But u gotta get there early cuz the good stuff sells out quick. They got this one peach guy who has AMAZING fruit but hes always sold out by 10am lol
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Eloise Kendrick
•Oh that's good to know about getting there early! I'm definitely not a morning person but for double the food it's worth it lol. Do they have other stuff besides fruits and vegetables? Like is it worth doing all my shopping there?
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LongPeri
The program you're asking about is called Market Match, which is California's healthy food incentive program. Here's a complete list for San Joaquin County: 1. Stockton Certified Farmers Market (Saturdays) 2. Boggs Tract Community Farm Stand in Stockton 3. Tracy Farmers Market (Saturdays during growing season) 4. Manteca Farmers Market (Tuesdays, seasonal) 5. Lodi Farmers Market (Thursdays, seasonal) The way it works is you go to the market manager's booth first, tell them you want to use your CalFresh benefits, and they'll process your EBT card. For every dollar you spend (usually up to $15-20 depending on the market), they give you matching coupons/tokens to spend on fruits and vegetables. In addition to Market Match, check out the Ecology Center's website - they maintain the most up-to-date list of participating markets. The state expanded the program recently so more locations might be available.
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Oscar O'Neil
•I went to the Boggs Tract one and they said they don't do Market Match anymore?? This was like 2 months ago. Maybe they started again idk.
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Sara Hellquiem
I HATE that none of the actual grocery stores do this!!! Why do they only give the extra money at farmers markets that are only open weird hours? Some of us WORK and can't go to a farmers market on a Tuesday morning!!! This is so unfair. They should make Walmart and FoodMaxx match our benefits too.
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LongPeri
•I understand your frustration. Currently Market Match is only funded for farmers markets and some farm stands because part of the program's goal is supporting local farmers directly. However, some regular grocery stores do have other produce incentives. Food 4 Less sometimes runs promotions where you get discounts on produce with EBT, and I've seen Smart & Final do something similar. Also worth checking if any of the farmers markets in your area have extended hours - a few in the region have added evening hours specifically because of this accessibility issue.
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Charlee Coleman
I tried calling the county office to ask about these market match locations but got stuck in the phone system for 45 minutes before giving up. Then I tried the Ecology Center but they just referred me back to the county! So frustrating when you just need a simple answer. Side note: I finally got through to a CalFresh worker using Claimyr.com - they got me connected to a real person in under 10 minutes. They have a demo video here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 The worker confirmed the Stockton Saturday market does Market Match year-round, but the other locations are seasonal (April-October). She also mentioned they just added a new location at the Stockton Asian Farmers Market on Thornton Road on Sundays, but it's not on their website yet.
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Freya Collins
•omg thank u for saying about the sunday one!!! saturdays i have to work but i can do sundays!! where exactly on thornton is it?
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Liv Park
my aunt said theres a app called fresh savingS that shows all the places that take ebt and do the extra money thing but i downloaded it and its not working right. anyone else try this?
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Lucas Schmidt
•I think you're referring to the Fresh Savings or Farmers Market Finder apps. There are a couple different ones depending on your region. But honestly, they're often out of date. The most reliable source is the Ecology Center's website (they administer Market Match) or calling 211, which has up-to-date information on food assistance programs.
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Eloise Kendrick
Thanks everyone for all this information! I'm definitely going to check out the Saturday market this weekend. One more question - does anyone know if the Market Match tokens expire? Like if I don't use them all in one visit can I save them for next time?
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LongPeri
•Great question about the tokens. At most markets, the Market Match tokens or vouchers are valid for that market day only, but some markets allow you to use them throughout the current market season. It varies by location, so definitely ask the market manager when you get them. Also, since you're new to CalFresh, remember you can use your regular EBT benefits at farmers markets too (not just the Market Match part). Some vendors sell bread, honey, plant starts for growing your own food, and even meat and eggs that you can buy with your regular CalFresh benefits.
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Oscar O'Neil
lol everyone saying farmers market but nobody mentioned the ONE grocery store that does it... smart and final on march lane does a produce match on wednesdays only. its not as good as market match (only $5 match) but its something if u cant do weekends
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Eloise Kendrick
•THANK YOU!! I had no idea Smart & Final did this! That's actually much closer to me than the farmers market and I shop there sometimes anyway. Do you know if you need to sign up for it somehow or do they just automatically give the match when you use your EBT card on produce?
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