Assemblymember Alex Lee Requests $100 million to Expand CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program

• Nicholas Chan
• Communications Director, Office of Assemblymember Alex Lee
• (916) 319-2392
• [email protected]

Assemblymember Alex Lee seeks to expand a successful CalFresh program that makes fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable. The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program serves tens of thousands of low-income Californians monthly, providing them with dollar-for-dollar rebates for groceries. At a time of urgent need, Assemblymember Lee has requested $100 million in state funding to scale the program and extend the lifeline to more low-income families.

"As families brace for devastating federal cuts, we must ensure low-income Californians have access to affordable and nutritious food. By investing $100 million in the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program, we have the opportunity to more than double the number of families served and support even more local businesses. The program is a proven solution in reducing hunger and stimulating the agricultural economy. Now is the time to step up our commitment to ensure no Californian goes hungry."

The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program launched in 2023 and has served as a national model for initiatives from coast to coast, including Colorado, Rhode Island and Washington. For every $1 of CalFresh benefits spent on any fresh fruits and vegetables at a participating retailer, CalFresh recipients get $1 back on their EBT card to spend on any CalFresh-eligible food for up to $60/month. The program currently operates at 91 grocery stores and one farmers' market.

With funds anticipated to run out by this summer, Assemblymember Lee's budget request would extend the program for another year. The $100 million would also enable the program to reach two and a half times more families, from 67,000 households served monthly to 168,000 families. Given the program's proven administrative efficiency, 98% of the funding would be directly rebated to CalFresh participants.

It is more important than ever for the state to invest in food security programs, including the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program. In the Bay Area, for instance, grocery costs rose more than any other major household expenses from 2024 to 2025. Food prices in the region, which is already one of the most expensive places to live, are outpacing the rest of the nation. Three in 10 California adults reported cutting back on food to save money. To make matters worse, some CalFresh families are already seeing their benefits reduced by the Republican budget bill, H.R. 1.

The cosponsors of Assemblymember Lee's $100 million budget request released the following statements:

"The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program has proven to be both popular and effective at helping families stretch their grocery budgets and put nutritious food on the table," said Lena Brook, Deputy Director of Fullwell. "This is especially important given that prior to the devastating impacts wrought by H.R. 1, CalFresh benefits did not fully meet the nutritional needs of too many Californians. A $100 million investment in this program will make it easier for tens of thousands of families to afford healthy, nourishing food. This influx of resources will also be a wise investment in our state's farmers, local economies and the overall nutrition safety net."

"Resulting from the passage of H.R. 1, communities are under threat of reduced or lost CalFresh benefits. California has a critical opportunity to pave a different path forward by investing in a program that puts additional food benefits directly in the hands of those who need it most," said Michelle Lee, Policy Advocate at Nourish California. "We call on our state leaders to not compromise and follow the lead of the Trump Administration, but instead prioritize the well-being of California families. A continued investment in the CalFresh Fruit & Vegetable EBT Program in the state budget would ensure that Californians can access fresh fruits and vegetables year-round, while also allowing more families to access this program."