Both shoppers and California farmers are benefitting from the Market Match and the Cal-Fresh (SNAP) food programs offered by the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFM).
Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program, which uses grant dollars to match or double a portion of the customers’ federal nutrition assistance benefits, like Cal-Fresh (SNAP), for the exclusive purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at their certified farmers’ market.
The Market Match program is available at two Ventura Markets, the Midtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market held on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pacific View Mall and the Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market held on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon held in the City Parking Lot, at Santa Clara & Palm Streets.
All Cal-Fresh SNAP and Market Match benefits are administered through a token system available at the VCCFM Market Information booths. The markets also accept the WIC (Women, Infants and Child) food programs at each of their locations. “This is a great time for qualified shoppers to utilize these programs and expand their food benefits during the holidays with all of the celebrations taking place,” stated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the VCCFM. “We are excited to offer this grant program, working together with our farmers, to add more food accessibility in our community” she added.
For more information, call the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association at 805-529-6266 or visit the website at www.vccfm.org.
