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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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, …

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The Nevada County Department of Social Services provides drop-in benefits information and application assistance provided by the Navigator team. 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
• Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959, 530-265-7050
  • First Wednesdays, 10am-12pm

Web pages

• Home -…

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The Emergency Relief Program provides short-term assistance to help non-residents who are stranded in Nevada County return to their place of residence. Assistance is offered as a loan and may include temporary lodging, food support, transportation funding, and travel fare.

Services include:

• Motel vouchers as short-term shelter
• Food vouchers for basic needs
• Gas funds for travel
• Bus fare assistance for transportation

People must apply in person at one of the three Nevada County Department of Social Services locations:

• 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

The Nevada County Department of Social Services offers a supplemental assistance program for adults who do not qualify for federal or state programs such as CalWORKs or SSI/SSP. 

The program is designed to meet basic needs when no other resources are available and serves as a last-resort safety net. General Assistance is a repayable grant, not an entitlement.

Services include:

• Emergency cash assistance for housing, food, and basic needs
• Temporary employment services for individuals deemed employable

Program eligibility is determined through a needs assessment and requires repayment under certain conditions.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/1626/Cash-Assistance-for-Individuals

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 Holy Trinity Episcoal Church offers a weekly community meal to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

Services include:

• A free hot meal every Tuesday
• Indoor dining space for guests

Web pages

• Home - https://holytrinitynevadacity.org/

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 (Tue/Th 10am-12pm) 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 (12pm-3pm Tue & Thurs + by emergencies), diapers, lending and reference libraries, information, referrals, parenting support, weekly children's playgroup, summer camps, adult yoga (Mon 6pm-7:15pm & Wed 9am-10:30am), ASQ's, children's dance classes, and periodic events.

The San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center has laundry vouchers…

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The Nevada City Farmers Market offers a seasonal market where local farmers, artisans, and food vendors sell fresh produce, baked goods, handmade items, and prepared foods.

Services include:

• Access to locally grown fruits and vegetables
• Artisan goods and handmade crafts
• Ready-to-eat foods from local vendors
• Seasonal community space with rotating vendors

2025 Summer Market:

• Every Saturday, 8:30am - 1pm
• April 12th - December 20th, 2025
• Outdoors on Union Street, Downtown Nevada City

Web pages

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