Which app shows CA Fruit & Veg Incentive Program balance? Where can I use it?
I saw someone at the farmers market checking their CA Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program balance on their phone. They showed me the app but I totally forgot what it was called! Does anyone know which app shows this balance? Also confused about where we can actually use these extra benefits besides farmers markets. Can I use them at regular grocery stores too? My EBT card got loaded with some extra money last month but I want to make sure I'm spending it right before it expires. Thanks!
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Yara Sayegh
The app is called 'CalFresh EBT' from JPMorgan Chase. It shows your regular CalFresh balance plus any California Fruit & Vegetable EBT benefits. You can use these extra benefits (sometimes called CalFresh Healthy Bonus) at participating farmers markets, some neighborhood grocery stores, and select larger chains that have opted into the program. Not every store accepts them though, even if they take regular CalFresh. You'll see the extra balance listed separately in your EBT account.
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Connor Gallagher
•Thank you so much! Just downloaded the app and found it. U were right - I see two different balances now. One says "SNAP" and the other says "FMNP" - guess that's the fruit & veg money?
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Keisha Johnson
I think it might be the Farmers Market Finder app?? not sure tho
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Connor Gallagher
•I'll check that one too! Do you know which stores accept this besides farmers markets?
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Paolo Longo
It's definitely the CalFresh EBT app. As for where you can use the F&V incentive benefits, it varies by county, but generally: 1. Most certified farmers markets in California 2. Some neighborhood grocery stores (especially in low-income areas) 3. Some larger chain stores like Food 4 Less, Northgate Gonzalez, and Superior have started accepting them The program is expanding, so more stores might accept it now. Check the app for "participating retailers" or ask at your local farmers market. The benefits typically appear as "California Fruit and Vegetable EBT" or sometimes "FMNP" (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) on your balance.
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Connor Gallagher
•This is super helpful! Do these extra benefits expire faster than regular CalFresh? I'm worried about losing them if I don't use them soon enough.
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Paolo Longo
•Yes, they often have different expiration timeframes than your regular CalFresh benefits. The California F&V incentives typically expire at the end of each month, unlike regular CalFresh which stays valid for 9 months. The app should show you the expiration date, but when in doubt, use the F&V funds first. Better to check the app regularly so you don't miss out on using them!
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CosmicCowboy
my daughters been using this at sprouts and food4less. she said any store that has the CA fresh sign in the window takes it. the money is use it or lose it each month tho!!! dont wait too long
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Connor Gallagher
•Oh good to know about Sprouts! That's close to my house. And thanks for the warning about using it each month - definitely don't want to lose free money.
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Amina Diallo
I've been trying to figure this out for WEEKS!! Every time I call the county number I can never get through to ask about this. Just endless hold music and then it hangs up on me. So frustrating!!
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Oliver Schulz
•If you need to talk to someone at the county office about this or any CalFresh questions, try using Claimyr. It's a service that waits on hold for you and calls you back when a real person is on the line. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to sort out my benefits! You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or just go to claimyr.com. Totally worth it when you can't afford to sit on hold all day.
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Amina Diallo
•OMG thank you!!! I'm going to try this. I've been hung up on THREE TIMES this week trying to get answers about my benefits.
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Natasha Orlova
i use mine at the sunday farmers market in my neighborhood. they actually double your money there too!! so if i spend $10 of my regular calfresh they give me $10 extra of the f&v money to buy more fruits and veggies. the app shows both balances seperate.
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Connor Gallagher
•Wait what?? They DOUBLE your money at farmers markets??? That's amazing! Which farmers market do you go to? I need to find one near me that does this!
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Natasha Orlova
•lots of them do the matching program! its called market match i think. just google farmers markets that take ebt near you and call to ask if they do the doubling thing. most of them will match up to $10 each visit
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Amina Diallo
The whole program is confusing. I got the extra money too but when I tried to use it at Walmart they said they don't take it, only regular CalFresh. Then I went to Target and same thing! Wasted so much time and gas going to stores that don't even accept it. The county should give us a clear list of stores instead of making us guess.
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Yara Sayegh
•You're right that it can be confusing. Major retailers like Walmart and Target generally DON'T accept the CA F&V incentive funds - they only take regular CalFresh. Your best bet is farmers markets first, then check smaller community grocers and specific chains like Food 4 Less, Northgate, or Superior. The app should have a "Find Stores" option that shows participating retailers, though it's not always 100% updated.
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Paolo Longo
Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in the comments: There are actually a few different but similar programs that might be getting mixed up: 1. California Fruit & Vegetable EBT - The extra benefits loaded directly to your EBT card automatically 2. Market Match - A farmers market program where they match your CalFresh spending (usually up to $10) 3. Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) - Sometimes gives paper vouchers for specific populations To check your California F&V EBT balance, use the CalFresh EBT app. For Market Match, just ask at the info booth at participating farmers markets. They usually give you tokens or vouchers to spend that day.
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Connor Gallagher
•Oh! That explains why I was confused. So I might have both the automatic extra money AND be able to get matching funds at farmers markets? That's awesome!
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Zoe Papadakis
•Exactly! You can potentially benefit from both programs. The California F&V EBT benefits are automatically loaded to your card each month (use those for any qualifying purchases at participating stores), AND if you shop at farmers markets that do Market Match, you can get additional matching funds when you spend your regular CalFresh benefits there. It's like getting double benefits - just make sure to ask the farmers market staff how their matching program works since each market might have slightly different rules.
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