CALL-IN DAY: CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT Program

Published on Apr 29, 2025 in CalFresh

As we get closer to Governor Newsom’s May Revision of the California State Budget, we need legislators to take a stand in protecting this program that makes it easier to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. On May 1, 2025, Nourish California and Fullwell are hosting a Call-In Day: CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable to flood our legislators' phone lines with messages of support for this program.

How to call your legislators

Step 1: Find your CA representative

Step 2: Locate their phone number here (Assembly) and here (Senate)

While we are focusing the calls on May 1, feel free to call any day that works for you - or even more than once! The priority is to make sure that your legislators hear what is important to you.

Sample call script:

"Hi, my name is ___. I live in your district and I urge you to support Assemblymember Lee and Senator Richardson's budget request letter for $63 million to restart the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT program. Please make sure this funding is included in the state budget so that families in California can have access to more healthy food for at least 12 more months. Will you sign onto the letter?"

Why a Call-In Day?

The CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT program allows CalFresh recipients to earn up to $60/month in additional CalFresh benefits when they use their EBT card to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. It is a highly successful program in reducing hunger, improving health, and supporting California's agricultural economy. In fact, the program was so successful that it was forced to pause for lack of funds on January 31, 2025.

Since the pause, you have made your voice heard:

You like this program.

You want this program back.

We hear you loud and clear, and it's time that your legislators do too. This Call-in Day: CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable is an opportunity for that. Call your legislators and urge them to support this critical program so it can restart!

Why are we asking legislators to sign onto a budget letter?

A budget letter is a way for lawmakers to show the governor and legislative leaders that they support giving money from the state budget to a specific program. The more legislators that sign the letter, the stronger the show of support. Budget letters are a powerful way to influence budget decisions and increase the likelihood of getting funding approved.

Without receiving more funding from the state budget, the program will not be able to restart. That is why it’s important to contact your legislators and ask them to add their name to the budget letter!

Questions? Contact: Eli Zigas at ezigas@fullwell.us or Betzabel Estudillo at betzabel@nourishca.org