CalFresh Access Expands at California Farmers Markets
The California CSA Network is training more local farmers to accept CalFresh (EBT) benefits, aiming to make fresh produce more accessible. This initiative coincides with the arrival of early spring produce at local markets, as showcased in a recent video from the Fremont Farmers Market. Shoppers are encouraged to look for new signage and inquire with vendors about eligibility.
Many programs that help low-income families buy more fresh produce at farmers' markets are funded in part by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The Ecology Center, a Berkeley-based nonprofit, has been a key player since 2003 in helping farmers' markets set up the technology to accept EBT. A significant incentive for shoppers is the Market Match program, available at over 270 farmers' markets and farm-direct sites across California. This program, founded in 2009, doubles the value of CalFresh benefits, giving shoppers extra money to spend on fruits and vegetables. For example, at some markets, if you spend $15 of your CalFresh benefits, you receive an additional $15 to purchase more produce. The push to expand CalFresh accessibility is also a major economic boost for local farmers. In 2020, over $6.7 million in CalFresh benefits were spent at California's farmers' markets and farms. A 2013 survey revealed that programs like Market Match brought new customers to farmers' markets, with 66% of participating farmers reporting increased income. For individual farmers and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, the process to begin accepting CalFresh involves applying for authorization with the USDA and obtaining a wireless EBT machine to process payments. Organizations like the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) provide free technical support and resources to guide farmers through this application process. Despite the benefits, challenges for farmers can include the cost of point-of-sale machines, transaction fees, and increased bookkeeping. For markets, staffing the EBT redemption booth can also be a hurdle, with some markets relying on partner nonprofits to manage the program. A 2023-2024 pilot program in California tested a new model where supplemental benefits earned at farmers' markets could be used at other SNAP-authorized retailers like grocery stores. While this increased flexibility for shoppers, it also presented administrative challenges for the farmers' markets involved, with four of the seven participating markets withdrawing before the pilot ended.
