CalFresh at Farmers Markets Work Group
Mission: To increase the use of CalFresh/EBT at farmers markets in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara County in order to:
1) create equitable access to healthy food and
2) support local farmers
CalFresh can increase the number of people that shop and spend money at your market. Since 2016, CalFresh and Market Match has brought in over $1.1 million dollars to local farmers markets in San Luis Obispo County.
Join our work group to help with this effort. Contact us for more information.
Annual Outcomes 2023 (PDF 2.3MB), 2022 (PDF 2.6MB), 2021 (PDF 9.1MB)
2025 National Farmers Market Week
Snapshot of activities:
- 6 markets attended by SLO Food Bank and CFHL, UCCE.
- Distributed promotional items: tote bags, cookbooks, children's books/activities, tips for using CalFresh and Market Match and celebrated with our community!
- Over 3,300 direct mailers were sent to residents located near markets to increase awareness.
- Social media campaign reached over 1,800 individuals.
Resources to promote Farmers Markets
What is CalFresh? Who qualifies? For which of my products can I accept CalFresh as payment?
CalFresh FAQ - Information about what can be purchased with CalFresh, who qualifies, P-EBT and more.
I need help promoting my market or training my vendors in CalFresh or Market Match, where do I start?
Start with the CalFresh at Farmers Market Environmental Assessment tool. This assessment will help us to understand how we can help and it will also help us track progress over time. Get a pdf copy to download, print and complete. Or you can fill it out online.
Where can I send customers who want to apply for CalFresh?
Visit: https://www.getcalfresh.org/ or Call: 1-877-847-3663
More resources in English and Spanish for promoting CalFresh at your market:
- EBT Accepted Here (signs for vendors)
- Legal size color poster EBT Accepted Here from CDSS
- Market Match Flyers - SLO & Lompoc Markets that offer Market Match
- CalFresh/EBT Flyers - Market that accept CalFresh in SLO + Lompoc
- What Can I Buy? Flyers
- EBT Simple Guide from Ecology Center - wealth of tools, templates and resources
Issues that impact farmers market access
Farmers Market Navigators
The Farmers Market Navigator project is a collaboration between UC Cooperative Extension, the Center for Family Strengthening, North County Farmers Markets Association, Country Farm and Craft Market, and the SLO Food Bank.
Farmers Market Navigators are community leaders who provide information and outreach in multiple languages with people who have limited incomes and could qualify for the CalFresh program. In addition, they provide welcoming services and information at the market, including in season recipes, how to use your CalFresh card at the market, and how to get more fresh local fruits and vegetables on a budget.
Read about year one impacts here.