Eat Well

having trouble with your card? Eat Well is ready to help!

Eat Well offers $100 per month for fruits, vegetables, and beans to selected participants in the VA Eat Well study.

After enrollment in the study, if you are selected to receive an Eat Well card, you will receive your card in the mail. The card takes about 10-20 days to arrive. It comes with instructions to activate the card by phone or online.

Once your card is activated, it will be loaded with $100 per month for either 6 months or 12 months, depending on which study group you are placed in.

You can use the card to buy fresh, frozen, and canned fruits, vegetables, and beans.

Participating Eat Well stores include Food Lion, Walmart, Harris Teeter, Publix, Carlie Cs IGA, Costco, Instacart, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar.

Buy what you want, when you want! You choose the fruits, vegetables, and beans you want to buy. You can spend your funds on multiple trips to the grocery store.

In addition to your Eat Well card, you have access to VA health-promotion programs to help support you in eating healthy. For more information on how to sign up, visit: eatwellrx.org/vanutrition.

Learn More

What can I buy?

Your Eat Well card can be used to buy fresh, frozen, or canned fruits, vegetables, and beans.

To see if a specific item is eligible, download the OTC Network app, enter your card number, and scan bar codes at the store.

Where can I shop?

Eat Well cards can be used at any Food Lion, Walmart, Harris Teeter, Publix, Carlie Cs IGA, Costco, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, CVS, and Walgreens, as well as some local grocery stores.

You can also shop online at Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Walmart.

For a full list of participating stores near you, use the OTC Network app or visit: www.mybenefitscenter.com.

Note: The Eat Well card cannot be used to pay for fees associated with online ordering or delivery. To redeem Eat Well benefits through online retailers, you will need to enter both an Eat Well card number and a personal credit or debit card as payment methods.

how do i use my card?

Easy! When you check out, swipe your Eat Well card like a credit card. The cost of eligible fruits, vegetables, and beans will be taken off your total. Then pay for the rest of your groceries with any payment you choose.

Note: You do not need to show your Eat Well card to the cashier, or enter a PIN. Make sure to use the card like a credit card. Do not choose debit card.

when will i get my funds?

Eat Well cards will be loaded with $100 upon activation, and on the 1st of each following month that you are enrolled.

how do i check my balance?

You can check your Eat Well card balance by calling 1-888-682-2400, using the OTC Network app, or visiting www.mybenefitscenter.com.

What is the OTC Network app?

One way to check if an item is covered by the Eat Well card is to scan the barcode using the OTC Network app while you’re in the store. The OTC network app can also be used to check your balance, view transactions, and find participating stores nearby. The OTC Network app can be downloaded from your phone’s app store. To use the app, enter your card number (all 19 digits) and enter your birthday in this format: MMDDYY.

Note: You do not have to use the OTC Network app to use the Eat Well card. It is an optional tool to use if you want!

Do funds carry over from month to month?

Unused Eat Well funds do not carry over from month to month. Be sure to spend your Eat Well funds before the end of the month!

when should i activate my card?

You should activate your card when you get it. The only time you might want to wait is if you get your card at the very end of the month. Then, you can activate it at the start of the next month so you have more time to spend your first $100.

How Long does the program last?

You will receive either 6 months or 12 months of Eat Well benefits, depending on your study group. You will be notified before your benefits end.

can a family member or caregiver use the card to buy food for me?

Yes! You may give the card to a trusted family member or caregiver to purchase food for you if you are unable to get to the store.

where can I get information and support with eating healthy?

Now that you’ve enrolled in the Eat Well study, it’s time to contact one or more of the VA health-promotion programs available to you. For more information about these programs, visit: eatwellrx.org/vanutrition.