I’ve known about Calfresh for a while now, but I was hesitant to initially apply due to the stigma behind food stamps and my general laziness to start the application. It wasn’t until I found out that my friend was a student ambassador for Calfresh did I start to seriously consider applying. She told that signing up took only a few minutes and that countless of other students also received Calfresh.

I applied in January of this year, and I have to say that Calfresh has been absolutely a godsend. The application process did take longer than I expected, but every time I go to the grocery store I’m constantly reminded of how glad I am to have signed up. I only wish that I could have signed up earlier.

Calfresh has radically changed the way in which I spend, choose, consume food.

I’ll admit it. I’m not the healthiest person out there. Throughout my life I never once cared about what I consumed. Besides walking to class, I virtually had zero physical exercise. But once I received Calfresh, everything changed.

I know this post is starting to sound like a cheesy infomercial, but it’s been the truth. With Calfresh, I can proudly say that I’ve been able to (for the most part) adhere to Michael Pollan’s mindful eating tips (Pollan 147-200).

I remember when the day that my EBT card came in the mail. I ripped the envelope open and immediately headed over to Ralph’s. When I stepped in the grocery store, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Without the financial burden, I finally could buy virtually anything that I wanted.

Since I was grateful for having $200 to spend on groceries, I became mindful of what I bought. I didn’t want to be the person who spends all of his Calfresh on candy and other junk food. I decided to shop only in the fresh produce, poultry, and meat section. The “peripheries” as Pollan would call them (Pollan 156).

If I had the money, why not pick the ‘healthier,’ albeit, more expensive option? That was my justification to start choosing the local and organic options. Prior to Calfresh, I always chose the cheaper option, regardless of their sources. I just couldn’t justify spending the extra dollars. This logic also applied to my fast food purchases. Whenever I was feeling down or needed to satisfy my appetite I always turned to my comfort food, “Taco Bell,” since it was so cheap and available. I valued dollars over nutrition. Now, whenever I start to crave Taco Bell, I curb my appetite by walking to the supermarket and getting something healthier. If I was really lazy, I would purchase a pre-made dish in the cold deli section.

I also started to do more research on what foods I should consume, deciding that I should “eat like an omnivore.” (Pollan 168). Since most supermarkets accept Calfresh, I decided to check out other grocery stores and see what they had to offer. When I stepped into Whole Foods for the first time in my life, I felt overwhelmed and intrigued by all of the different foods they had available. Realizing that I lack fiber and omega-3 nutrients in my diet, I decided to buy more nuts, seeds, and legumes. Instead of eating just chicken and spinach all day, I started to diversify my diet–mainly because I finally had the budget to do so.

And because I started to do more research on what foods I should consume, I started to care more about the environments and conditions in which these produce were sourced from. Through the readings, research, and my personal experience shopping, I started to understand that the food in which we consume is intrinsically linked with the environment as a whole. After learning about the rapid depletion of the bluefin tuna and the unsustainable fishing practices, I started to recognize that my purchases directly fuel the demand for a certain produce, which in return leads many farmers to fulfill this demand (Barber 209). Our actions should be seen as relational, rather than isolated.

Works Cited:

Barber, Dan. The Third Plate: Field Notes on a New Cuisine. The Penguin Press, 2014.

Pollan, Michael. In Defense of Food: an Eater’s Manifesto. Penguin Books, 2009.

Here’s a list of miscellaneous Calfresh tips that I’ve discovered.

• While you shouldn’t feel embarrassed at all for using your Calfresh card, I understand that it might be initially intimidating when you use your EBT card for the first few times. Try the self-checkout option if you don’t feel comfortable.
• While you can’t purchase rotisserie chicken, you can purchase sushi. Many supermarkets such as Ralph’s have prepackaged sushi available. I don’t condone purchasing sushi all of the time, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with buying it once in a while. The taste is surprisingly not bad!
• Since most supermarkets accept EBT, try to check out different supermarkets. For example, many Asian grocery stores contain products that can’t be commonly found in other supermarkets. Explore your options!
• Purchase organic food. Prior to receiving Calfresh, I had never even considered buying organic before. Having an EBT card has enabled me to shop at places such as Whole Foods. Increased purchasing power has given me the ability to make healthier food choices.
• Supermarkets categorize products differently. This tip might seem a bit specific, but it’s been extremely helpful. Since all supermarkets categorize their food differently, some supermarkets might count an item as EBT eligible, while another supermarket might count the same product as ineligible. For example, when I tried to purchase flaxseeds at Whole Foods, it was considered as a “supplement,” so it was not EBT qualified. When I went to Trader Joe’s, flaxseeds were classified as regular food, so I was able to purchase them using my EBT card.
• Bags are free. If you have Calfresh, you’re eligible at most supermarkets for free bags (This tip might be helpful when you forget to bring a bag, but generally I’d advise bringing a reusable bag).

So you’ve finally received your EBT card in the mail. Now what?

The EBT card acts like a debit card. Every month, money is automatically deposited in the account. You can check your card balance here.

One important thing to keep in mind is that the balance rolls over. This means that if you do not use the full amount for the given month, the remaining balance is still available to use the following month. For example, if you receive 200 dollars a month and you have 50 dollars left over from last month, the new balance would be 250 dollars.

So do you exactly use the card?

Believe it or not, I struggled to use the EBT card when I first received it. I didn’t know if I was supposed to simply swipe the card through the payment terminal or if I was supposed to hand it over to the cashier.

Since the EBT card acts like a debit card, you would swipe the card as if you were paying using a debit/credit card. The only other difference is that you would need to select the “Food” option and enter your pin. Do not lose or give away your pin. You will need your pin for all of your purchases.

Tip: After every purchase, the cashier or the kiosk will generally print out a receipt. If you’re ever curious about your remaining Calfresh balance and don’t want to check online, the receipt will sometimes print out the balance information.

So where can I use my EBT card?

In my experience, you can use your EBT card at virtually any supermarket. This includes your typical retail supermarkets (Ralph’s, Trader Joes, Whole Foods), but also “speciality” supermarkets such as Costco or 99 Ranch Market. EBT cards are even accepted in some farmer’s markets and some fast food chains (I personally think it’s more worth it spending your EBT card for fresh produce, but fast food chains are a viable option).

You can find a more comprehensive list here.

So what can I buy using the EBT card?

Here’s what you can buy:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Frozen food
• Meat, fish, poultry
• Milk, cheese, dairy products
• Rice, beans, tortilla, bread, cereal

Here’s what you can’t buy:

• Alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco
• Non-food products (shampoo, tissue paper, pet food)
• Vitamins and medicine
• Hot foods

Refer to this website for a full list of what you can buy.

A good rule of thumb is that you can basically buy anything in the store as long as it’s food and that it’s not hot food. This means that you will not be able to buy a rotisserie chicken, but you’re able to purchase cold sandwiches. And yes, you can buy candy and junk food with Calfresh, although I would strongly advise against doing so. This actually is a point of contention between public health advocates and SNAP (Fisher 109). Since the purchasing of sugary foods and other “unhealthy” products are allowed under SNAP, there is an ongoing debate on whether SNAP should focus its efforts on improving nutrition or fight against hunger. This issue is of course further complicated by large food company lobbyists who push for their products to be eligible. Therefore, even though food assistance programs often claim their goal is to increase nutrition in low-income households, studies have found that “evidence is not conclusive.” A study performed in 1973 by Logan and de Loach found that the level of nutritional intake correlated more so with factors such as education and age, rather than income and access to food stamps (Suryanarayana 152).

Tip: Sometimes you’ll encounter products that seem to have an ambiguous category (think Chia seeds or flaxseeds). These products appear to be either a vitamin/supplement or regular food. The easiest way to determine if product qualifies as EBT is checking the back of the label. If it says “supplement facts,” then you are not able to purchase it. If it says it’s “nutrition facts,” you are able to purchase it.

Works Cited:

Fisher, Michael. Big Hunger: The Unholy Alliance between Corporate America and Anti-Hunger Groups. MIT Press. 2017.

Suryanarayana, M.H. “Some Experiments with Food Stamps.” Economic and Political Weekly. Vol. 30, no. 52, 2014.

I used the following websites to create this blog post. I’d suggest checking both of them out if you need further clarification.

• http://mycalfresh.org/students/
• http://calfresh.guide/special-rules-for-students/

Yes, students are eligible for Calfresh, but only if they meet certain requirements.

You’re considered a student if:

• You’re aged 18-49. You must be physically and mentally fit for employment.
• You’re enrolled in school at least “half-time.” This is dependent on the school.
• You’re enrolled in a higher education institution. This includes vocational, technical, community, and four year universities.

If you’re considered a student, you may be eligible for Calfresh if you meet either one of the following:

• Work 20 hours per week
• Approved for state/federal work-study
• Full-time student with a child under 12 years old
• Part-time student with a child under 6 years old
• Part-time student with a child from ages 6-12 in which adequate care for the child is not available
• Receiving CalWorks
• Enrollment in Calfresh employment or job training associated with Calfresh

If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements, I’d still recommend applying! If you work 20 hours per week, have work study, or receive Cal Grant (A or B) you’ll most likely get approved for Calfresh.

To find out more about Calfresh eligibility, contact the toll free number 1-877-847-3663.

So how do you apply?

Most people apply for Calfresh online. Since I live in Los Angeles County, I used the link here. This is the link that you’ll be using to access your benefits.

Alternatively, you can use this link to start your application. I believe you ultimately have to create an account on DPSS anyways, but this second link has a much more simplified interface for applying. I highly recommend using this one.

If you live in Los Angeles County, you can also visit one of the offices and apply in person. You can find a list of locations and contact information here.

If you go to college, try seeing if there’s a Calfresh office or representative on campus.

One of the biggest benefits of applying in person is skipping the interview portion. This can help expedite the process. The application may also be a bit difficult to complete alone, so having someone there to assist you is also helpful.

What’s the process like?

In a nutshell, here’s the process.

• Submit an application, either online or in person. If you’re a student, bring relevant documents such as proof of residency, proof of college enrollment, SSN, Driver’s license, or pay stubs/Cal grant letter.
• Do an interview. A social worker will call you and conduct an interview. Don’t let the term “interview” intimidate you. The worker will just verify any information let you know if you’re missing any documents.
• Receive your EBT card. Be patient. It might take a week or a month to finally receive the physical card in the mail. Please be aware that the pin and the EBT card come in separate envelopes. Also, the amount that you receive depends on your financial situation and household size. For reference, I receive $194 dollars a month as a single college student.

Tips: Due to an overwhelming number of applicants, the process time of getting your EBT card might be a bit slow. I’ve heard stories of people getting approved from anywhere as little as under a week, to as much as a month. In my case, my Calfresh took a month to get approved. If you ever feel aggravated about the process, do not fret. Contact your social worker if you have any questions or concerns. Clear communication is crucial if you want to receive your EBT card as soon as possible.

So the first question you’re probably asking is, what exactly is Calfresh? What are food stamps? What is an EBT card?

Food stamps are vouchers issued by the government that can be used to exchange for food. The first form of food stamps was introduced by the US federal government following the wake of the Great Depression, and lasted from 1939 to 1943 (Grieger and Danziger, 2). The program was discontinued during the spring of 1943 because “unmarketable food surpluses and widespread unemployment,” which were seen as the conditions that established the need for a program in the first place, ceased to exist (“A Short History of SNAP”). However, in 1961, food stamps were briefly reintroduced and by 1964 Food Stamp Act made the program permanent. By 1974, the program was officially nationalized (Grieger and Danziger, 2).

Historically, food stamps were paper coupons but later became phased out during the late 1990s in favor of EBT cards.

EBT, or Electronic Benefit Transfer, is an electronic system that allows government welfare programs to issue benefits via a payment card. Each month, benefits are deposited directly into the EBT account, functioning similarly to a debit card.

California’s “food stamp” program is known as Calfresh. It’s part of a larger federally operated program known as SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Calfresh enables households to purchase healthy food.

For simplicity, the terms SNAP, food stamps, and Calfresh are essentially synonymous.

What does the Calfresh card look like?

If you’re interested in a more in-depth understanding of Calfresh, I’d suggest checking out the following websites.

• http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss/main/programs-and-services/calfresh/ 
• http://mycalfresh.org/

Works Cited:

“A Short History of SNAP.” Food and Nutrition Service, 17 Sept. 2018, http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/short-history-snap#1939.

Grieger, Lloyd D, and Sheldon H . Danziger. “Who Receives Food Stamps During Adulthood ? Analyzing Repeatable Events With Incomplete Event Histories.” Population Association of America. Vol. 48, no. 4, 2018, pp. 1601–14.