CalFresh, formerly known as Food Stamps and known federally as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), provides extra funds to help those who are in need each month to buy groceries.

With a CalFresh electronic “debit” card (known as EBT) you can buy most foods at many food stores and farmers markets.

Several Nevada County Farmers Markets offer a CalFresh matching program called Market Money (or Market Match), where you can double your CalFresh dollars up to a specified dollar amount per market per week. Amount may change from year to year.


Apply for CalFresh

Californians can visit BenefitsCal.com or GetCalFresh.org to apply or call 877-847-3663 (FOOD) to be connected to their local county social service office.

CalFresh is a low income program - the gross income limit is 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. However, CalFresh program rules are complex - some income is not countable, and some individuals with income below 200% FPL may not qualify for CalFresh.

If you have a hard time …

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Replace Lost or Damaged Food

People can request replacement benefits for food that they bought using CalFresh and that they lost or had damaged in an emergency such as fire, natural disaster, power outages, etc. A form must be submitted within 10 days of the end of an event, such as a power outage. Sometimes counties extend the deadline beyond 10 days.

To Apply for Replacement Benefits

Complete and submit Replacement or Disaster Supplement Affidavit (CF 303) to apply for CalFresh replacement benefits after disaster.

• In person - Nevada County Department of Social Services suggests that people come in person to a DSS office for most efficient service.
• Online - at BenefitsCal.com
• Fax completed form to 530-265-9860

Forms

• English CF 303 form
• Spanish CF 303 form

Locations

Grass Valley - Brighton Greens
988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
530-265-1340

Nevada City - Eric Rood Administrative Center
950 Maidu Ave, Suite 120, Nevada City, CA 95959
530-265-1340

Truckee - Nevada County Joseph Center
10075 L…

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Drop-in benefits information and application assistance is provided by the Navigator team from the Nevada County Department of Social Services at three libraries each month. Stop by if you need help enrolling in, or renewing your participation in, benefits programs such as

• Cash Assistance - CalWORKs & more
• Food Assistance - CalFresh
• Healthcare - Medi-Cal
• Housing
• In-Home Supportive Services
• Veterans Services

While these resources are always available to the public, having them all together during the Services Drop-In allows you to learn, at the same meeting, such things as what kind of support is available for seniors, how you can proceed with child support, and which doctors take your insurance. These are drop-in services and no appointment is necessary.

Social Services Drop-In days and locations

• Grass Valley Library, 207 Mill St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, 530-273-4117
  • First Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm
  • First Saturdays, 10am-2pm
• Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959,…

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The Emergency Relief Program exists to help non-residents stranded in Nevada County get back home. It can provide, as a loan, motel vouchers, food vouchers, gas money, and bus fare.

Details and Restrictions:

• Must be non-residents passing through the area
• One time use only
• Must sign up with name and a copy of a photo ID is taken
• Records are kept on this program and the person that is using the program is supposed to reimburse the program when able

People must apply in person at one of the three Nevada County Department of Social Services locations (call to confirm hours):

• Brighton Greens, 988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949, 530-265-1340 (same phone as for Rood Center)
• Eric Rood Government Center, 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City, CA 95959, 530-265-1340 (same phone as for Brighton Greens)
• Nevada County Joseph Center, 10075 Levon Ave, Truckee, CA 96161, 530-582-7803
  
  

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/879/Social-Services

The Environmental Health Department manages programs focused on environmental protection and some aspects of public health in Nevada County.

These programs regulate food preparation in restaurants, installation of wells and septic systems, handling hazardous materials and other topics related to consumer protection.

Web pages

• ​Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/1470/Environmental-Health
• Environmental Health Services (including how to report an Environmental Health issue) - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/1572/Services
• West Nile Virus & Mosquito Prevention, including info about mosquito fish give away events - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/2291/West-Nile-Virus-Mosquito-Prevention

If you suspect fraud with CalFresh (Food Stamps/EBT), Medi-Cal Coverage, General Assistance, CalWORKs, or any other County of Nevada Social Services program, call 530-265-1792 or email dss@nevadacountyca.gov
 

The San Juan Ridge PARTNERS Family Resource Center (FRC) provides families in the San Juan Ridge area with information and referrals to local resources, services, and facilities on a drop-in basis for visitors of all ages.

It also assists families with child development, parenting support, counseling, education, and employment tools. It also offers playgroups for families with children ages 0-5, and weekly activities for older children.

Note:

• The FRC does not have any housing resources and does NOT have any gift cards, gas cards, etc.
• The FRC does offer a computer, phone, fax, printer, children's play space, clothes closet, food pantry, diapers, lending and reference libraries, information, referrals, parenting support, weekly children's playgroup, summer camps, adult yoga, children's dance classes, and periodic events.

The San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center has laundry vouchers and bus passes free to clients upon request.

• Bus passes are issued as 2 o…

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The Nevada City Farmers Market offers locally grown and produced products from farmers, artisans, food vendors, and makers.

Contact: Market Manager, manager@ncfarmersmarket.org, 530-277-9960

SATURDAY FARMERS MARKETS

2024 Summer Market

• April 13-December 21, 2024 from 8:30am-1pm
• Downtown Nevada City on Union Street between Broad Street and Commercial Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

2025 Winter Market

• Jan 11-April 5, 2024 from 9 am-1 pm
• 505 Main Street, Nevada City, SAEL School Auditorium, Nevada City, CA 95959

Web pages

• Home - https://www.ncfarmersmarket.org/

The Nevada County Food & Farm Directory is a product directory for local farms and ranches, including contact information. Updated annually. Many of the listed farms and ranches participate in local Farmers Markets.

Web pages

• Home - https://sierraharvest.org/food-and-farm-directory/

Sierra Harvest's Gold Country Gleaning Program organizes volunteers to harvest fresh, seasonal produce that would otherwise go to waste and donates it to local food banks. Volunteers are encouraged to take gleaned goodies home too.

Web pages

• Home - https://sierraharvest.org/
• Gold Country Gleaning Program - https://sierraharvest.org/gleaning/
• Request Gleaning - https://sierraharvest.org/gleaning/site_registration.php
• Volunteer to Glean - https://sierraharvest.org/gleaning/volregistration.php