California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP)

The California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), managed by the Office of Farm to Fork within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), aims to increase the purchase and consumption of healthy, California-grown fruits and vegetables by low-income shoppers who use nutrition benefits. CNIP operates through a network of Certified Farmers’ Markets, mobile markets, and retailers, offering monetary incentives to shoppers using benefits such as WIC Cash Value Benefits (CVB), WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), and the Senior FMNP. For every eligible dollar spent, shoppers receive matching funds redeemable for additional fresh produce, benefiting both consumers and local agricultural producers. The 2026 CNIP Expansion Request for Proposals invites eligible Certified Farmers’ Markets and nonprofit partners to apply for funding to implement or support CNIP activities specifically targeting WIC, WIC FMNP, and SFMNP shoppers. The initiative supports both direct incentive distribution (Track 1) and non-incentive outreach and technical assistance (Track 2). Track 1 proposals may include funding for incentive match, shopper education, and operational tools (e.g., tablets, mobile hotspots), while Track 2 supports activities such as outreach, training, and transportation assistance to improve usage of electronic benefit cards. Up to $1.75 million is available, with award sizes ranging from $10,000 to $500,000. Projects must run for nine months between April 1 and December 31, 2026. While cost-sharing is not required, it is encouraged and will be considered during the technical review. Eligible expenses include physical incentives, marketing, technical assistance, and support for software use related to the new electronic distribution systems for FMNP and SFMNP benefits. Applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected] by 5:00 PM PT on November 4, 2025. Required components include a completed proposal template (15-page limit) and a budget spreadsheet. A webinar to assist applicants will be held on October 9, 2025, and FAQs are available online. Applications will undergo administrative and technical reviews, with scoring criteria based on project design, outreach strategy, operational capacity, community impact, partnerships, and budget allocation. Award notifications will be issued by January 2026. Funded projects must submit monthly or quarterly invoices and will be reimbursed accordingly. Track 1 recipients will also be required to submit monthly incentive reports, and all grantees must submit a final report within 60 days of project completion. CDFA may also follow up post-grant to assess long-term program impacts. The program anticipates recurring annual cycles, supported by state general funds and matching federal funds through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.