Updates about CalFresh EBT at Foodwise Farmers Markets During the Shutdown

November 4, 2025

Foodwise Offers $15 Food Assistance Vouchers for SNAP Participants—And How You Can Help

Low or no funds on your SNAP EBT card? We have you covered! Due to the delay in SNAP benefits caused by the government shutdown, Foodwise is providing $15 in food assistance vouchers for SNAP participants who have insufficient funds. These vouchers can be used at Foodwise farmers markets during November.

How It Works

• Visit the Foodwise Info Booth at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market or Mission Community Market.
• If your EBT card has a balance of less than $15, Foodwise will give you $15 in vouchers to spend at Foodwise farmers markets. (Offer valid for once per household per market.) In addition, Market Match is still available at our farmers markets—even during delays in SNAP EBT benefits!
• Redeem your vouchers for food at any market stand (excluding ready-to-eat hot food, alcohol, and flowers).
• These vouchers are good through the end of November, so use them ASAP.
• Visit our Info Booth to learn more!

Want to Donate to Our Food Access Fund?

Like you, we believe that fresh, nutritious food is right, not a privilege. Farmers markets are a critical lifeline for low-income families who depend on food assistance programs like CalFresh and Market Match. Equally important, small family farms depend on shoppers who use CalFresh and Market Match as an important source of income.

Help Foodwise provide food assistance to SNAP participants during the shutdown. Learn more and donate at foodwise.org/foodaccessfund.

What to Know about CalFresh EBT and Market Match at Foodwise Farmers Markets

Due to the federal government shutdown, CalFresh / SNAP / EBT benefits will be delayed starting November 1, 2025. Market Match is still available at our farmers market—even during delays in SNAP EBT benefits.

• Update as of November 6, 2025: Following lawsuits filed by California and other states, SNAP / CalFresh benefits are starting to be restored on Californians’ EBT cards. Read more at gov.ca.gov.
• If you have funds in your CalFresh account from prior months, you can continue to use your benefits at Foodwise farmers markets during the shutdown.
• You can make the most of your existing CalFresh balance by doubling your benefits at Foodwise farmers markets through the Market Match program.
• If you have Foodwise CalFresh and Market Match coins, you can continue to use them at our markets in November and beyond.
• This is not the end of CalFresh/SNAP/EBT or Market Match, which will resume when the government shutdown ends.

Emergency CalFresh Benefits for San Francisco Residents

• The City of San Francisco is issuing one-time prepaid grocery cards to San Francisco CalFresh households in November. The San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA) mailed out letters about how to access this card. 
• Currently these cards can only be used at grocery stores and other food retailers that accept EBT. Please check with individual farms and food vendors to ask if they can accept them through their point-of-sale system. Currently Foodwise is not able to accept these cards at our info booth, but we are working with HSA to fix this.
• You can learn more and stay up to date at the San Francisco Human Services Agency website and find their FAQ here.

For updates, please check in at the Foodwise Info Booth at our farmers markets, as our market staff will always have the most current information. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we have new information and appreciate your patience.

We know this is a difficult time for many families in our community, and we are here to support you. Thank you for supporting and being an essential part of our farmers market community!

Topics: Food access, Food policy