Download CalFresh Recipients Enjoy More Fresh Produce Through - OC-PICH

CalFresh Recipients Enjoy More Fresh Produce
Through Market Match Program
John Nguyen
Summary
Market Match (MM) is California’s healthy food incentive program, which
matches customers’ federal nutrition assistance benefits, like CalFresh and
WIC, at farmers’ markets. The program empowers low-income customers to
make healthy food choices and benefits hundreds of small and mid-size
California farmers. The largest grant recipient in California that is working with
farmer's markets is the Ecology Center in Oakland. Locally in Orange County,
it has been branded as Market Match, however different locations will have
different program names.
Challenge
Food insecurity and food poverty are a growing issue for many residents in
Orange County. The high cost of living, transportation to markets, and dense
living situations make it difficult for residents to purchase healthy foods, such
as fresh produce. There are many areas in which residents only have access
to non-perishable foods and do not have access to a grocery store. Many low
income families are finding it more difficult to gain access to healthy food
options, and there is often times a reduction in the purchasing of fruits and
vegetables due to the cost of fruits and vegetables, a lack of nutritional
education, and knowledge of uncommon fruits and vegetables. These factors
make it very easy for families to turn to quick and easy meals such as fried,
greasy fast foods which in turn leads to health risks and complications, such
as childhood obesity.
Your Involvement is Key
You can help promote Market Match by
taking easy steps such as including
information about Market Match in mailing
newsletters, postcards, or even word of
mouth. You can also share the information
with CalFresh participants so they can
utilize the Market Match program. Get
people who are eligible for CalFresh to sign
up for the program.
Solution
The solution to this issue was to find a way to incentivise the purchase of
fruits in vegetables in local Farmers' Markets through the Market Match
program. Through the Market Match program, CalFresh recipients will go to
the information booth at a Farmers' Market, and take out a certain amount of
funds out of their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). The CalFresh recipient
will be matched a certain amount of dollars to spend at the Farmers' Market
on fruits and vegetables. For example, when spending CalFresh funds at the
downtown Santa Ana Farmers' Market, they are able to provide up to $15 in
additional Market Match funds to spend on fruits and vegetables.
Results
Market Match started at the Downtown Santa Ana Farmers' Market (DTSA
FM) in April 2015 and started at the Downtown Anaheim Farmers' Market
(DTA FM) in May 2016. Since then, we have seen an increase in Market
Match incentives redeemed at both Farmers' Markets (DTSA FM from $125 to
$1000 and DTA FM from $625 to $775), in just a few short months. After
talking to both markets, which have been surveying Market Match users, we
found that there was an increase of business not only to the farmers' market,
but to the surrounding businesses as well. In addition, it was found that Market
Match users were able to have a more nutritious diet because they are
receiving extra funds to buy fruits and vegetables and for some it is
expanding their CalFresh benefits to go further in the month.
Sustainable Success
In order to sustain the program, we are working to ensure that nutrition
incentives appear on future Farm Bills. To further sustain these successes,
we must ensure that there is continued and increased participation with
Market Match by promoting Market Match to the community. In addition,
looking for additional partners who can provide funding as matched dollars will
be an added benefit to sustaining success.
Success Stories
http://nccd.cdc.gov/nccdsuccessstories/
Contact
John Nguyen
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
12666 Hoover Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841
714-406-2500 phone
http://www.capoc.org