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 …

The Nevada County Department of Social Services provides information on how to Replace Lost or Damaged Food 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
• Forms - https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/forms-brochures
• 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, …

The Nevada County Public Health Department provides a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition program which offers nutrition, breastfeeding and health education service that helps pregnant women, mothers with new babies, and young children, under age 5 years, eat well and stay healthy. Families receive a benefits card to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores. Legal guardians such as fathers, foster parents, and grandparents can receive checks on behalf of children.

This is one of many possible First 5 Nevada County Ready to Grow (R2G) program resources.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3962/Public-Health
• WIC Program - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/867/Women-Infants-Children-Program

The California Department of Education provides free nutritious meals to children during summer vacation. See links for more info about these free summer lunches. Call the site contact person to confirm details.


Web pages

• 2024 Nevada County meal sites - https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/ap/summersites.asp?year=2024&countyname=Nevada
• 2024 Placer County meal sites - https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/ap/summersites.asp?year=2024&countyname=Placer
  
• Home - California Department of Education - https://www.cde.ca.gov/
  • Search "summer meal sites"
• All counties 2024 - https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/summersites24.asp

The Community Connection Center helps to ensuring that every Grass Valley School District student receives the support they need to succeed. By connecting families with essential resources and addressing barriers to success, we aim to help every student reach their full potential.

Services offered

• Food Pantry - Non-perishable items are available year-round, and fresh produce can be obtained weekly during the school year by appointment.
  
• Diapers - available in multiple sizes.
• Oral Hygiene Supplies - available for youth and adults.
• COVID-19 Supplies - Including tests, masks, and hand sanitizer.
• Technology Access - Free Wi-Fi and access to laptops.
  
• Referrals - Connections to Grass Valley and Nevada County services.
  
• Workshops and Support Groups - Weekly meetings, clubs, and support sessions.
• Therapy Services - Clinical counseling available.

Community Connection Center only serve families from the Grass Valley School District. However, Their workshops, classes, and events are open to the public.

W…

Interfaith Food Ministry provides supplemental groceries, including baby formula and baby food when available, to low-income individuals and families.

People needing free supplemental groceries are allowed to come to IFM once every other week.

Food Distribution

• ​When? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-1pm. Also, every Saturday from 10am-1pm in collaboration with United Way of Nevada County.
• Where? 440 Henderson Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Reservation System

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10-11:30am - Reservations Only.
  11am-1pm First come, first served.
• Saturday: 10am-12pm - No Reservations. First come, first served.
• Make reservations on the IFM Portal.

Free Phones

Free phones (also known as lifeline phones or Obama phones) are available at Saturday food distributions for eligible low-income Nevada County residents. Eligibility is based on income. For example, people who receive CalFresh/EBT and Medi-Cal are eligible. Expect to present proof of income and have a photo ID.

• When? 8:30am-…

Interfaith Food Ministry, in a partnership with SpeeDee Carts, offers food home delivery to eligible people. Qualifying clients include seniors, people with disabilities, people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation, and individuals who only sometimes have access to transportation.

When? Every 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week of the month

For information and eligibility screening, call Interfaith Food Ministry at 530-273-8132.

Web pages

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

This is a Ready to Grow (R2G) resource. Ready to Grow is a First 5 Nevada County program to connect children 0-5 with services and information that support their well-being. Organizations with programs that have this R2G tag may have additional programs of interest to families.

Interfaith Food Ministry provides food that does not require warming or refrigeration to persons who are homeless. Food can be picked up once a week during regularly scheduled food pantry pickup hours.

Open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am-1pm.

Web pages

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

This is a Ready to Grow (R2G) resource. Ready to Grow is a First 5 Nevada County program to connect children 0-5 with services and information that support their well-being. Organizations with programs that have this R2G tag may have additional programs of interest to families.

The Salvation Army offers a small emergency food pantry to help until individuals/families are able to make it to a normal distribution through Food Bank of Nevada County or Interfaith Food Ministries.

Mon-Thurs 9am-3pm 10725 Alta St.

Web pages

• Home - www.grassvalley.salvationarmy.org

The Food Bank of Nevada County offers food distributions in various locations.  

Grass Valley - Western Nevada County
2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 10am-1pm
Grass Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church
12889 Osborn Hill Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Higgins Corner - Grass Valley - Southern Nevada County
3rd Thursday of each month from 3:30-5:30pm
Sierra United Methodist Church (near Lake of the Pines)
22559 W. Hacienda Dr, Grass Valley, CA 95949

North San Juan
2nd Tuesday of each month from 10am-12pm
Oak Tree School
18847 Oak Tree Rd, North San Juan, CA 95959

Town of Washington
3rd Wednesday of each month at 12pm
Washington Fire Department
15406 Washington Rd, Washington, CA 95986

Truckee
Tuesday from 4pm-5pm
Sierra Community House
12116 Chandelle Way, Suite D2, Truckee, CA 96161
Call to confirm if weather or other factors might affect distributions. 775-545-4083

Income guidelines are posted under the USDA tab here.

Web pages

• Home - https://foodbankofnc.org/get-food-here
• Income Guide…