Local farmers markets helping low income families

One California assemblyman is pushing for more access to fresh produce for Californians living in poverty.

Phil Ting of San Francisco put fourth a bill to increase the buying power of food stamps at farmers markets.

The bill got approval in both the state assembly and senate.

Here in the Coachella Valley three of our certified local farmers markets already have programs aimed at helping the needy.

“We’ve actually accepted them (food stamps) since 2012, so what that’s almost four years here, because we believe that everyone should have access to fresh local California produce. No matter what their income range is, no matter what their situation is,” said Paul Palodichuk the general manager of Certified Farmers Markets.

With the help of programs like Market Match and federal grants, our certified markets are creating greater access to healthy options.

When people who use food stamps come to the market they’re given tokens for the denomination they want to spend. Then the farmers market actually matches them up to $10 with additional coupons they can spend on fruits and vegetables.

Vendors like Lisa Hayes said access to food that’s good for you should be an option everyone can enjoy.

“I think it’s important for them to get fresh food instead of pre processed food and the only place that it’s available to them is at farmers markets,” Hayes said.

Palodichuk said the market has seen up to an 80 percent increase in usage of food stamps since they began marketing the option.

“They come and they budget their money. They go to the veggie guy, they go to the meat guy, they go to the bread guy, they get all the healthy stuff and they do it on their budget,” Hayes said.

Palodichuk said programs like these level the playing field for low income families.

“I’m all about personal choice and so it’s really nice that we can have people come here and can use their EBT card for fresh fruits and vegetables,” Palodichuk said.

Governor Jerry Brown has until October 11 to sign or veto the bill.