Thousands of families across Santa Clara County are set to enjoy the luxury of shopping for free fresh fruit and vegetables. Assemblymember Alex Lee's efforts have secured a significant $10 million to revive the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Pilot Project. This initiative, launched in February 2023, empowered EBT cardholders to receive instant rebates up to $60 monthly when purchasing produce at selected grocery stores. However, the program's popularity led to it running out of funds in April, leaving many families disappointed. But now, with the renewed funding, hope shines bright for these communities.

Empowering Families with Free Fresh Produce

Benefits of the CalFresh EBT Pilot Project

1: The CalFresh EBT Pilot Project has proven to be a game-changer for low-income families. It provides them with an additional source of funds to purchase fresh, healthy produce. As Lupe Lopez, owner of Arteaga's Food Center, mentioned, in an expensive community like Santa Clara County, this extra money makes a significant difference in whether families have enough to eat or not. With four participating locations in the county, including three in San Jose and one in Gilroy, customers are now able to access this valuable resource. 2: The impact of the program is not limited to individual families. It also has a positive effect on the agricultural economy. When people have more money to buy fruits and vegetables, they do indeed purchase more, stimulating the demand for local produce. This, in turn, benefits farmers and the entire agricultural sector.

Addressing Food Insecurity in the Region

1: The region is grappling with widespread food insecurity, and the CalFresh program plays a crucial role in filling this nutritional gap. More than 130,000 Santa Clara County residents are currently receiving food stamps, almost double the number in 2019. People enrolled in CalFresh often also rely on food banks like Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, which serves approximately 500,000 people a month. This highlights the need for such programs to continue and expand. 2: Rachel Monaco, senior manager of policy and advocacy for Second Harvest, emphasized the importance of programs like CalFresh. Families are struggling with the high cost of groceries, and these initiatives help them make ends meet. The continued support for the CalFresh EBT Pilot Project is essential to ensure that families have access to the food they need.

Looking Towards the Future

1: Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3229 this year to evaluate the pilot program and determine its potential for permanence. The next step involves the California Department of Social Services submitting a report to the state Legislature by July 1, outlining the necessary steps to make the program permanent. This is a crucial milestone in the journey towards ensuring that families can continue to benefit from free fresh produce. 2: Eli Zigas, executive director of nonprofit Fullwell, which assisted in administering the program in Northern California, expressed his hope to see the program expand to larger grocery stores in the future. With Safeway showing interest in joining, securing more funding becomes a priority. By doing so, more people can be reached and helped, further addressing the issue of food insecurity.