CalFresh Recipients Can Now Get Farmers Market Produce Delivered to Their Door
CalFresh CSA box deliveries are now available for eligible residents in Los Angeles, giving EBT recipients a new way to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables without visiting a farmers market.
The nonprofit Food Access LA has launched a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) delivery program that connects local farms directly with consumers, including households receiving CalFresh benefits.
Under the program, seasonal produce harvested from five to seven participating local farms is packed into a weekly or biweekly produce box.
EBT Now Accepted for CSA Deliveries
One of the program’s biggest milestones is approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), allowing participants to pay for the CalFresh CSA box using their EBT benefits.
“We’ve worked hard to make EBT payments available for our CSA program,” said Isabel Totham, Food Access LA’s food distribution program manager.
“People using EBT should have the same opportunity to enjoy fresh farmers market produce and choose how they shop.”
Each produce box costs $50, and the program operates three seasons each year, with each season lasting approximately 10 to 16 weeks.
Delivery Available in Koreatown
Deliveries are available within roughly a 20-mile radius of the Atwater Village and Crenshaw Farmers Markets, making LA Koreatown one of the eligible service areas.
Participants may choose either home delivery or pick up their produce directly at a participating farmers market.
Food Access LA says the program is especially intended to improve access to fresh food for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income households who may have difficulty traveling to farmers markets.
Launch Comes Amid CalFresh Changes
The new CalFresh CSA box program arrives as many California residents face uncertainty over changes to CalFresh eligibility.
Last month, expanded federal work requirements raised concerns that more than 200,000 Los Angeles County residents could lose CalFresh benefits, particularly adults ages 55 to 64, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness.
Shawn Amiel, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, said the CSA initiative provides another valuable source of healthy food for vulnerable communities.
“With growing concerns over food assistance, this program creates another opportunity to expand access to nutritious groceries and community resources,” Amiel said.
Residents can enroll through Food Access LA’s website by selecting weekly or biweekly delivery, entering their address, and choosing a payment method, including EBT.
