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| Market Match makes fresh food affordable. |
The Market Match program doubles our clients' CalFresh benefits at participating Farmers' Markets in Santa Barbara County, so they can buy more fruits and vegetables! Read on to learn how it works, which markets participate (currently all South County markets and the Solvang market), and how you can promote the program to clients.
Why Market Match?
Many Farmers' Markets in our area accept the CalFresh EBT card. But concern about prices may have made some CalFresh clients hesitant to shop there. The Market Match program makes Farmers' Markets affordable. And that benefits everyone: Studies have found that fresh, locally grown produce is healthier, tastier, supports more local jobs, and is better for the environment
How does Market Match work?
CalFresh clients can use Market Match at any of the Farmers' Markets listed below. They simply go to the information booth, swipe their EBT card, and get tokens to spend in the market like cash. For every CalFresh dollar they spend, they get an extra dollar to spend on fruits and veggies at the market (up to the limit set by the market, typically $10 per household per day).
Which Farmers' Markets participate in Market Match?
Participating markets currently include the following. For an always-updated list, or for participating markets outside our County, visit FMfinder.org.
- Santa Barbara (Old Town): Tues. 4-7:30pm, 500-600 blocks of State St.
- Santa Barbara (Downtown): Sat. 8:30am-1pm, 119 E. Cota St.
- Goleta: Sun. 10am-2pm, Camino Real Marketplace, 7004 Marketplace Dr.
- Carpinteria: Thurs. 3-6pm, 800 block of Linden Ave.
- Montecito: Fri. 8-11:15am, 1100-1200 blocks of Coast Village Rd.
- Solvang: Weds. 2:30-6:30pm, 1st St. & Copenhagen Dr.
How can we promote Market Match to clients?
Market Match isn't a permanent program: Farmers' Markets have to apply for grant funding and renew annually. So now that the program is here in our County, it's important that we get folks participating, so it can continue and hopefully expand in our area.
Starting in October 2018, we will be distributing Market Match lobby posters and Market Match brochures to our South and Mid County district offices and outreach staff, and making them available to community partners in participating areas. Also beginning in October 2018 for a period of one year, we will be sending Market Match brochures out in the SAR-7 packets sent to CalFresh clients living in participating areas.
If you'd like to preview the brochure and poster now, or print some copies of the brochure on your office's color laser printer, click here!