Mission: To increase the use of CalFresh/EBT at farmers markets in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara County in order to:
1) create equitable access to healthy food and
2) support local farmers
CalFresh can increase the number of people that shop and spend money at your market. Since 2016, CalFresh and Market Match has brought in over $800,000 to local farmers markets in San Luis Obispo County.
Join our work group to help with this effort. Contact us for more information.
Eleven partners in SLO and SB counties distributed over 425 farmers market week promotional items including healthy recipes, children’s coloring books, and tips on using EBT and Market Match at the market.
The Food System Coalition hosted their Summer Social at the Monday 8/07 North County Farmers Market in Baywood/Los Osos.
Over 5,400 mailers were sent out to residents located near markets to increase awareness of National Farmers Market Week (NFMW) activities.
Social media campaign reached over 830 individuals promoting NFMW, the benefit of shopping at local markets and info on EBT and Market Match redemption.
Additional outreach conducted by Promotores to encourage community members to attend the farmers markets including videos in Spanish and Mixteco.
The Farmers Market Navigator project is a collaboration between UC Cooperative Extension, the Center for Family Strengthening, North County Farmers Markets Association, Country Farm and Craft Market, and the SLO Food Bank.
Farmers Market Navigators are community leaders who provide information and outreach in multiple languages with people who have limited incomes and could qualify for the CalFresh program. In addition, they provide welcoming services and information at the market, including in season recipes, how to use your CalFresh card at the market, and how to get more fresh local fruits and vegetables on a budget.
