LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Due to the severe damage and evacuations caused by the Northern California wildfires, Food and Nutrition Services retailers in several California counties may accept SNAP, or CalFresh, benefits in exchange for hot foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises.

The counties where this will be allowed short-term are Butte, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter and Yuba.

These special rules are in effect through Nov. 15.

Hot foods are purchased with SNAP EBT benefits through Nov. 15, are not subject to sales tax.

All SNAP-authorized retail food stores in the above counties are encouraged to post a special notice in the store letting SNAP customers know that they can use their SNAP EBT benefits to purchase hot foods and, where practical, may remain on the premises to consume those foods.