No one should have to worry about how they will put food on the table. CalFresh and free community resources can help you when your grocery budget is tight.
Buying groceries
CalFresh
CalFresh is a food program that helps low-income individuals and families buy healthy food every month.
Apply for CalFresh
There are a few ways you can apply for CalFresh:
- Apply online through BenefitsCal or the CalFresh website.
- Call the CalFresh Info Line at 877-847-3663 (available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean and Russian).
- Call or visit your county’s social services office.
If you already have CalFresh
If you have questions about your benefits, contact your local social services office.
Stay up to date:
- Keep sending in all required forms and paperwork to help prevent delays to your benefits. If your county social services office sends you messages or letters about your CalFresh benefits, make sure to read them.
- There are some changes to CalFresh because of a new federal law called H.R. 1. For the latest CalFresh updates, visit the California Department of Social Services website.
County contact information
Mariposa County
209-966-2000
800-266-3609
Merced County
209-385-3000
Monterey County
877-410-8823
San Benito County
831-636-4180
Santa Cruz County
888-421-8080
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program
If you qualify for CalFresh, you may also qualify for benefits through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. WIC is a program for women, infants and children up to age 5.
With WIC, you can get benefits on a WIC Card to help you buy nutritious foods like:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Whole grains and cereal.
- Milk, soy milk, eggs and cheese.
- Tofu.
- Baby food.
- Infant formula.
- Juice, peanut butter and more.
You can visit the WIC website for more information.
Apply for WIC
To apply, call your local WIC office:
- Mariposa County: 209-383-4859.
- Merced County: 209-383-4859.
- Monterey County: 831-796-2888.
- San Benito County: 831-637-6871.
- Santa Cruz County: 831-722-7121 (Watsonville) or 831-426-3911 (Santa Cruz and Felton).
Free food from local food banks
Food banks and other organizations can give you fresh food. Some may be able to help you sign up for CalFresh. Call or visit the website ahead of time to see what these organizations offer.
Mariposa County
- Manna House of Mariposa: 209-742-7985.
- Mariposa Heritage House Food Pantry: 209-966-7770.
- Merced County Food Bank: 209-726-3663. (Serving Merced and Mariposa counties).
Merced County
- Catholic Charities: 209-383-2494.
- Merced County Food Bank: 209-726-3663. (Serving Merced and Mariposa counties).
- Merced Lao Family Community, Inc: 209-384-7384.
- Salvation Army Los Banos: 209-827-4945.
Monterey County
- Food Bank for Monterey County: 831-758-1523.
- Salvation Army Salinas: 831-443-9655.
- Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Good Samaritan Center: 831-899-4988.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society at Sacred Heart Church: 831-424-1959.
San Benito County
- Community Food Bank of San Benito: 831-637-0340.
- Salvation Army Hollister: 831-636-9832.
Santa Cruz County
- Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes: 831-722-4144.
- Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz
- Find a food distribution near you.
- Call the Community Food Hotline: 831-662-0991.
- Francis Catholic Soup Kitchen: 831-459-6712.
General Directory sites
Tips to help stretch your food budget
- Plan ahead: Make a shopping list before you go to the store. It helps you buy what you need and waste less.
- Cook at home: Homemade meals often cost less and are healthier than takeout or fast food.
- Use leftovers: Turn extra food into soups, casseroles, omelets or frittatas.
- Eat fruits and vegetables: Fresh, frozen or canned — they all count and help you stay healthy.
Other resources
The Alliance ECM program has food resources such as meal delivery available for those that qualify. You must have a medical need to be able to get meal delivery. You can fill out the online form to request meals. If you need help filling out the form or have any questions, please call 831-430-5512.
