CalFresh is offering more benefits, Northgate Market is fueling that purchasing power for fresh produce
Teresa Blanco, left, director of community engagement and wellness at Northgate Market, speaks with Lisa Petersen of Anaheim about the Más Fresco program for CalFresh members at Northgate Market in Anaheim on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The program can provide up to an additional $100 a month in nutrition incentives when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their CalFresh benefits. On October 1st, the total possible benefit went up from $835 per month to $939 a month due to inflation. Northgate has partnered with UC San Diego Health and the United States Department of Agriculture in the Más Fresco program which began in 2017 and has allocated over $1 million its members. Currently there are over 10,500 people enrolled in the program. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A table is set up at Northgate Market in Anaheim on Thursday, October 13, 2022, with information for shoppers about the Más Fresco program for CalFresh members which can provide up to an additional $100 a month in nutrition incentives when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their CalFresh benefits. On October 1st, the total possible benefit went up from $835 per month to $939 a month due to inflation. Northgate has partnered with UC San Diego Health and the United States Department of Agriculture in the Más Fresco program which began in 2017 and has allocated over $1 million its members. Currently there are over 10,500 people enrolled in the program. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joe Prickitt, senior director of the Southern California Nutrition Incentive Program at UC San Diego School of Medicine Center for Community Health, holds the Más Fresco program card at Northgate Market in Anaheim on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The Más Fresco program is for CalFresh members and can provide up to an additional $100 a month in nutrition incentives when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their CalFresh benefits. On October 1st, the total possible benefit went up from $835 per month to $939 a month due to inflation. Northgate has partnered with UC San Diego Health and the United States Department of Agriculture in the Más Fresco program which began in 2017 and has allocated over $1 million its members. Currently there are over 10,500 people enrolled in the program. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A table is set up at Northgate Market in Anaheim on Thursday, October 13, 2022, with information for shoppers about the Más Fresco program for CalFresh members which can provide up to an additional $100 a month in nutrition incentives when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their CalFresh benefits. On October 1st, the total possible benefit went up from $835 per month to $939 a month due to inflation. Northgate has partnered with UC San Diego Health and the United States Department of Agriculture in the Más Fresco program which began in 2017 and has allocated over $1 million its members. Currently there are over 10,500 people enrolled in the program. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
As Joe Prickitt, second from left, senior director of the Southern California Nutrition Incentive Program at UC San Diego School of Medicine Center for Community Health listens, Teresa Blanco, left, director of community engagement and wellness at Northgate Market, speaks with Cynthia Gonzalez and her daughter, Mia, of Orange about the Más Fresco program for CalFresh members at Northgate Market in Anaheim on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The program can provide up to an additional $100 a month in nutrition incentives when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables with their CalFresh benefits. On October 1st, the total possible benefit went up from $835 per month to $939 a month due to inflation. Northgate has partnered with UC San Diego Health and the United States Department of Agriculture in the Más Fresco program which began in 2017 and has allocated over $1 million its members. Currently there are over 10,500 people enrolled in the program. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
CalFresh increased food benefits by 12.5% as of Oct. 1 for eligible families and individuals and local agencies have been trying to get the word out.
Health officials say thousands might be eligible for the benefits without knowing it. A family of four, for example, may now be eligible for up to $939 a month and an individual up to $281.
Recently, Northgate Market hosted at one of its stores in Anaheim a signup event with CalOptima, which administers the program in Orange County, to raise awareness and enroll eligible recipients.
Northgate Market has Más Fresco, which lets CalFresh shoppers receive rebates when they purchase qualifying fresh fruits and vegetables. It is available for now at its Orange County and Los Angeles County stores, but recently the program reached capacity in San Diego County.
