Food Access Programs

We accept EBT/CalFresh and offer Market Match.

Fresh produce for everyone — we have over 50 EBT-eligible vendors!

Find us every Thursday at 6 PM on Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo. Learn more »

How to redeem your EBT/CalFresh Benefits

Redeem your EBT/CalFresh benefits by visiting the Farmers' Market Info Booth during Market hours, located at the intersection of Chorro/Higuera Streets.

Plan Ahead! Token distribution closes 30 minutes before the market ends. Vendors will continue to accept tokens until the market ends.

Let our Market staff know how many benefits you'd like to redeem, swipe your EBT card, and receive Market tokens to use at eligible booths.

Watch a Video

What's eligible?

Tokens can be used to purchase any food product except hot meals or food made for immediate consumption.

Eligible EBT foods

*Subject to availability*

Fruits and vegetables
Cheese
Bread and bakes goods
Packaged snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

Market Match

Spend $15 EBT ➜ get $15 of Market Match to spend on fruits and vegetables.

Receive up to $15 in Market Match incentives at no additional cost to you! Use your CalFresh/EBT at the Market and we will match up to $15 in Market Match tokens! Your bonus Market Match tokens are good for fruit and vegetable purchases.

Market Match is funded in part through the California Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

About EBT

EBT is the system used in California for the delivery, redemption, and reconciliation of public assistance benefits, such as CalFresh or SNAP benefits, California Food Assistance Program benefits, and cash aid benefits.

CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to low-income individuals and families. Additionally, it provides an economic benefit to local communities. CalFresh is the largest food program in California and provides an essential hunger safety net. CalFresh is federally mandated and in California, is state-supervised and county-operated.

CalFresh benefits can help buy nutritious foods for a better diet. CalFresh benefits stretch food budgets, allowing individuals and families to afford nutritious food, including more fruit, vegetables, and other healthy foods. The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on household size countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities. The program issues monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Find out if you are eligible for EBT benefits here.

Are you a Cal Poly Student? CalFresh at Cal Poly can help you apply for EBT, answer questions about your EBT card, and more! Find out more.

In Partnership With