In honor of National Farmers Market Week, CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL) will be hosting a resource fair on Saturday, August 10, from 7:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the F Street Farmers Market to uplift local farmers and farmers’ markets and provide accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables, local resources, food demonstrations, and overall healthy living.
“Aside from all of the great community resources that will be available, I think that this event will highlight the importance of farmers markets, and all that they have to offer, such as the Market Match Program,” said Natalie Rodriguez, a CFHL Health Educator. “Many people also do not know that you can shop for fresh produce in places other than grocery stores. Shopping at farmers markets not only help local vendors, but it also gives people a sense of community.”
The F Street Farmers Market implements the Market Match program, which allows individuals to double their CalFresh Food benefits up to $15 to purchase fresh produce every week.
“Programs like Market Match address food insecurity by increasing access to fresh produce. By duplicating a shopper’s CalFresh Benefits, the program strengthens not only CalFresh recipients but also helps support local farmers,” said Michelle Ruiz, CFHL Health Educator.
Along with the vouchers for CalFresh Food participants, CAPK WIC will be in attendance providing vouchers for their participants to use at the market as well. WIC participants will be able to receive three $10 vouchers.
Ashley McAllister, another CFHL Health Educator, also spoke about the importance of buying from local farmers.
“Buying locally not only helps your dollar stay within the community, it can reduce your environmental impact on the world. Buying local and buying small means so much more to your local growers and sellers. By going to local farmers markets, you have more power of change than you realize,” said McAllister.
