CALIFORNIA – Assembymember Alex Lee, announced July 23, that he had secured $10 million to revive the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Pilot Project.
“The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project has reached tens of thousands of families. It is an effective solution to addressing food insecurity,” said Lee.
According to the news release, in total, the pilot project provided $10.5 million in rebates to 93,000 CalFresh households.
Lee goes on to say that despite the deficit challenge, the state’s budget prioritizes people by protecting funding for social safety net programs like the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot.
Pilot project was canceled in April
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) launched the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot in 2023.
For every $1 of CalFresh benefits spent on any fresh fruits and vegetables at a participating retailer, CalFresh recipients got $1 back on their EBT card to spend on any CalFresh-eligible food for up to $60/month.
The project ended in April due to the lack of funding.
Lee secured $10 million in the 2024-2025 state budget to continue the project.
Food insecurity
According to the California Association of Food Banks, nearly a quarter of California households experienced food insecurity as of May 2024.
Photo credit: California Association of Food BanksLee says as part of his commitment to addressing food insecurity in California, he introduced AB 3229 to ensure the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot’s long-term sustainability.
The bill will accelerate CDSS’s evaluation of the pilot project and its planning process to transition the project into a permanent program.
For more information about the CalFresh Pilot Project visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/ebt/california-fruit-vegetable-ebt-pilot-project
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