EPA Fresh Checks

Receive up to $20 in fresh food with your EBT (food stamp) card, WIC FMNP checks or Senior FMNP checks -- or by visiting a local community organization.

It’s easy. All you need to do visit the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market information table (and spend at least $5 in food stamps, or use one WIC or Senior FMNP check). We’ll then give you one EBT Fresh Check—valued at $5—to spend at the Market. What can that buy? More than you probably think.

EPA Fresh Checks are vouchers for $5 in value that can be redeemed for fruits and vegetables at the Market. They work just like cash. In partnership with Collective Roots, the goals of EPA Fresh Checks are to make fresh and healthy produce more affordable for our community, and also to support the small family farmers selling at our Market.

You can receive EPA Fresh Checks through two main channels:

• At various organizations throughout the community. Local organizations determine which families are eligible to receive EPA Fresh Checks, and distribute them accordingly. Checks may be available at the following organizations: Ecumenical Hunger Program; Bread of Life, EPA; EPA Senior Center, Inc.; Ravenswood Family Health Center; El Concilio; and EPA WIC Clinic. To become a participating organization, click here.
• At the Market information table, every Saturday, beginning at 2pm. Customers who use their food stamps/EBT, WIC FMNP checks, or senior FMNP checks at the market can receive one EPA Fresh Check per market day, valued at $5. Fresh Checks will match EBT/food stamp customers' purchases up to $10.  This means if you spend $5 in EBT benefits you will receive $10 in Fresh Checks, and if you spend $10 in EBT benefits you will receive $20 in Fresh Checks!  WIC and senior FMNP customers must spend at least one of their FMNP checks to receive an EPA Fresh Check.

EPA Fresh Checks are supported by the Brin Family Foundation, County of San Mateo, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.