For the second time in a year, CalFresh participants are at risk of losing benefits that help make healthy food more affordable. As of December 2024, 55,000 CalFresh households were earning a total of $2.5 million in rebates each month when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables through the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT program. The program was so successful that it was forced to pause for lack of funds on January 31, 2025. As a result, Californians with low-income are losing up to $60/month for fresh fruits and vegetables – which will make it even harder to buy the food they need at a time of historically high food prices.

The legislature and governor need to put at least $63 million in this year's state budget to serve even more people and help them afford more healthy food for at least 12 more months. Decisions about whether the program will receive funding to continue operating will be made between now and the end of June — don't wait, make your voice heard and support increasing CalFresh benefits today.