"Leading the fight against hunger"
Sonoma County CalFresh
What's New
Rethink Your Drink!
Try making your own refreshing flavored water!Read about the July 2012 "Rethink Your Drink" signature flavored water tasting and competition at the Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market. (Link)
Check out this Press Democrat blog post for recipes, tips and info on making delicious flavored waters at home! (Link)Benefits CalWIN(BCW)
Check out Benefits CalWIN(BCW)! BCW will allow you to apply for Medi-Cal and/or CalFresh (formerly called the Food Stamps Program) online and from the privacy of your own home. BCW is available 24/7, so you can apply when you want to! https://www.benefitscalwin.orgThe California CalFresh Program has a New Name
The California CalFresh Program, which the USDA (and some other states) calls SNAP, has a new name. It is now called CalFresh. Although many people know it by "CalFresh", the benefits haven't been distributed as "stamps" for years—these benefits help low-income people buy the food needed for good health by way of a debit card that can only be used to buy food items. The purpose of CalFresh is to provide food assistance to end hunger, improve nutrition, and increase health, and the new name is meant to reflect the fact that these benefits are a resource to help low-income families and individuals put healthy meals on their table.Apply for CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps) at the Santa Rosa Farmer's Market
On the first Saturday of every month from 8:30 am to noon, Catholic Charities will be at the Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers' Market to help people apply for CalFresh. This is a great opportunity for families who work during the week to apply for CalFresh (formerly CalFresh) and check out the Farmer's Market at the same time. The Farmer's Market takes place at the Veterans Bldg, East Parking Lot, at 1351 Maple Avenue in Santa Rosa.Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma, and Sebastopol Farmers Market Now Accepts CalFresh
Press Release - CalFresh recipients in Sonoma County can soon use their CalFresh benefits to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables at farmers markets in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma, and Sebastopol. The markets are the first in the county to enroll in a state project that provides free wireless equipment to process recipients’ electronic benefits cards.Santa Rosa’s Original Certified Farmers Market kicks off its participation Saturday, Aug.14, from 8:30 am to noon, with special activities to introduce the market to new CalFresh shoppers and help them make the most of their food dollars.
Healdsburg Farmers Market Now Accepts CalFresh
The Healdsburg Farmer’s Market now accepts CalFresh. And they’ll match the first $10 in EBT benefits you spend there with another $10 in Farmer’s Market tokens. The Healdsburg Farmers Market is held on Tuesdays from 4 pm to 6:30 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to noon at North and Vine Streets (across from the City Hall) in Healdsburg, Stay tuned; other farmers markets in Sonoma County will soon be accepting CalFresh.
CalFresh for Seniors
According to the USDA, more than three quarters of a million Americans over 65 and living alone do not have a steady supply of food.
Hunger can be life-threatening for seniors, putting them at risk for serious health problems. It can increase their risk for stroke, prolonging recovery from illness, extending hospital stays, limiting the effects of their prescription drugs, decreasing their resistance to infection, and may even increase feelings of depression and isolation.
But only a small proportion of low-income elderly people participate in the CalFresh Program. One reason may be that there are common misconceptions about CalFresh for seniors. Here’s a look at 10 myths, and 10 facts about CalFresh for seniors.