EatSF in San Francisco

Vouchers 4 Veggies – EatSF (EatSF) stretches the healthy food budget for low-income families.

More than a quarter of San Francisco residents are low-income. Of these, a third cannot afford nutritious food. That’s 80,000 people in a city known for good food who cannot afford fresh fruit and vegetables.

The high cost of living in San Francisco means that more than just those under the federal poverty level are at risk of experiencing food insecurity. EatSF helps families extend their limited food budgets. Our vouchers fill the gap during that difficult second half of the month when income often runs out. Participants say that the vouchers are a stabilizing influence in their lives. Knowing they will get the voucher, they worry less about where their next meal is coming from or about how to obtain healthy foods for their growing children.

So far, thousands of San Franciscans have benefited from EatSF vouchers and are eating more fresh fruits and vegetables every week.

This program was funded through the Department of Public Health, City and County of San Francisco and other supporters.

EatSF changes eating habits for the better.

EatSF helps low-income residents integrate more nutritious foods into their diets. The weekly vouchers are time limited, so users get in the habit of shopping regularly for produce at stores located in their own neighborhoods. The vouchers allow families their choice of healthy produce that fits with their culture and tastes.

Just six months in the EatSF program helps people develop life-long healthy eating habits. EatSF participants eat more fruits and vegetables as a result of the program, on average one additional serving per day, they feel more confident in their ability to make healthy food choices on a budget, they eat less unhealthy foods, have increased knowledge of the importance of fruit and vegetables, and they are able to buy fruits and vegetables they were unable to previously afford.