The Co-op is thrilled to announce that we have launched our Matching On Regional Eats (MORE) program! MORE is a food incentive program that provides anyone using CalFresh with a 50% discount on California-grown produce. This incentive is available to anyone using CalFresh in the store, regardless of whether or not they are Co-op owners!
HOW TO GET MORE
We’ve designed the MORE program to be as easy to use as possible. When you’re shopping for produce at the Co-op, look for our new MORE tags on items that are grown in California. Everything marked with a MORE tag is eligible to receive the 50% discount.
When you are ready to check out, let the front end clerk know you will be paying with CalFresh benefits. We need to know you’re using CalFresh to give you the MORE discount.
That’s it! You will save 50% on the California-grown produce you picked out.
WHAT QUALIFIES FOR THE MORE DISCOUNT
California-grown fresh fruit and vegetables qualify for the 50% MORE discount. Processed foods, even if they contain 100% California-grown ingredients, do not qualify. So, unfortunately, we can’t offer this discount to local salsas, juices, drinks, or honey. We also can’t offer it to locally grown nuts and beans.
As a general rule, only items in our Produce department will be eligible for the discount. When in doubt, look for the MORE shelf tags—if it has a tag, it qualifies. If it doesn’t have a tag, it won’t get the discount.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE MORE DISCOUNT
Anyone paying for at least part of their groceries with CalFresh benefits qualifies to receive the MORE discount. Even if you split your purchase between CalFresh and credit/debit/cash, you can still receive MORE.
It is worth noting that you actually have to pay with CalFresh to receive the MORE discount. If you receive benefits monthly but don’t have your card on you or have exhausted your benefits, we can’t offer the MORE discount.
HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU GET
Currently, our MORE discount has a $40 per day per customer limit. Each customer can receive $40 per day in discounts (so you’d have to buy $80 in California-grown produce in one transaction to reach that). The limit resets each day, so if you’ve maxed out, just come on back tomorrow!
MORE AND CURBSIDE
Unfortunately, we currently are unable to process CalFresh/SNAP payments online. The USDA has recently expedited their pilot programs for allowing SNAP benefits to be used at online retailers, and the Co-op has been watching those developments closely. As soon as we are able to accept SNAP/CalFresh benefits over the Internet, we will open that option up.
What this means for you is that you can place a Curbside Order online, but you will have to pay with your CalFresh benefits in-store. Please let us know if you’d like to use this option: we’ll be sure to have your groceries prepared and a spot at the register ready so you can minimize your time in-store.
MORE ABOUT MORE
The Co-op’s MORE program is funded by a grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture. Specifically, it is the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) that provides the funds that allow us to offer the 50% discount. GusNIP, formerly known as the FINI Program, has funded programs throughout the country for years—many “Double Up Food Bucks” programs at Farmers Markets have been funded through these programs. The Co-op is proud to be one of the few grocery retailers to participate in this program which supports California farmers and consumers.
If you have questions about the MORE program, please reach out to our Brand Manager, Joey Haney, by email: jhaney@chiconaturalfoods.coop