Food Access LA announced Thursday that CalFresh recipients can now use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to purchase farmers’ market produce boxes online for home delivery.
The nonprofit said the expansion allows CalFresh recipients to use their existing benefits to order seasonal produce boxes sourced from local and regional farms through its Farmers’ Market Delivery program.
According to the organization, the online EBT purchasing option is intended to reduce barriers to accessing fresh food by eliminating transportation challenges, expanding payment options and making farmers’ market produce more convenient for households throughout Los Angeles County.
Food Access LA is an organization focused on expanding access to healthy food.
“Healthy food is not a luxury. Families deserve both access to high-quality produce, as well as meaningful choices about what they put on their plates,” Executive Director Jennifer Grissom said in a statement. “Online EBT purchasing modernizes our food-access infrastructure, while connecting more households with fresh, locally grown food.”
Food Access LA described the program as a farmers’ market produce subscription service that delivers seasonal produce from five to seven regional farms directly to customers. The organization coordinates deliveries, allowing participating farmers to reach more consumers without handling their own distribution.
Officials said the program is intended to benefit working families, seniors, people with disabilities, college students and others who may face transportation or mobility challenges.
“Families can now order fresh produce from home while supporting small, local farmers who grow in California,” said Isabel Thottam, director of the eat! Food Distribution Program. “Food Access LA handles the delivery, allowing farmers to focus on growing quality food, while we bring the farmers’ market access directly to shoppers’ doorsteps.”
Food Access LA said the program also is intended to strengthen the regional food system by supporting small and mid-sized farms and keeping food spending within Southern California.
The nonprofit encouraged eligible residents to enroll through its website at foodaccessla.org.