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WIC

Farmers’ market programs make food accessible

July 13, 2020 By marketeditor

By Julia Howard

Farmers’ market EBT coins, photo by Pattie Garrett

Connecting our community with locally produced food is a priority of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. While this connection supports the local economy, it also ensures that people of all economic levels have access to fresh, locally-sourced food.

With this purpose, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market has partnered with the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), FreshConnect program, and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program for WIC participants and Seniors (FMNP).

“These programs are vital for providing our community with food while also supporting the livelihood of farmers and producers,” says Emily Meagher, the market’s administrator. “We are proud to offer these ongoing programs that encourage our community to shop local and eat healthily.”

FreshConnect coupon, photo by Pattie Garrett

At the farmers’ market, SNAP participants and veterans, service members, and their immediate families may use their Benefit card at the market information tent on Wednesdays and Saturdays where market staff can exchange EBT money for farmers’ market EBT coins. These coins never expire and may be spent directly with farmers’ market vendors. Vendors are not able to give cash change for purchases, however, they will make up any difference in product.

EBT coins may be used to purchase EBT allowable foods including fruit and vegetables, bread and baked goods, meat, fish, and poultry, dairy products, honey and maple products, and value-added foods like soup mixes, sauces, and jams and jellies. Herb plants and plants that produce food may also be purchased with EBT coins.

In addition to participating in the SNAP program, the farmers’ market also offers FreshConnect coupons. For every $5 a customer spends with their EBT benefits, they will receive a $2 FreshConnect coupon to spend at the farmers’ market.

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC and Senior) coupons may also be used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the farmers’ market. FMNP senior coupons are given to individuals age 60+ who are living on a limited income. The Saratoga County Office for the Aging will be handing out booklets of 5, $4.00 FMNP coupons (limit one per person) to eligible seniors on Monday, July 27, 2-5 pm, at the Clifton Park Farmers’ Market and Wednesday, August 5, 3-5 pm, at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. No proof of income or identification is needed; individuals simply sign a paper attesting that they are over the age of 60 and their income is under the limit.

 

This week’s recipe: Steak or Lamb Kebabs with Summer Vegetables

Filed Under: Featured Article, homepage feature, News Tagged With: coupons, EBT, Farmers Market Nutrition Program, FCC, FMNP, FreshConnect, nutrition programs, Saratoga County Office of the Aging, seniors, SNAP, WIC

Farmers’ markets and food security

June 4, 2019 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

New York State’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program begins this month. Through it, individuals who face economic hardship can receive $4 coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and herbs at participating farmers’ markets.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is among the many farmers’ markets taking part in the program. It also is among its strongest advocates.

“Many of our vendors are farmers with social consciences,” says events coordinator Julia Howard. “They see their work of growing healthy foods as part of a larger vision to feed their communities. The FMNP helps make that goal more possible.”

Pleasant Valley Farm accepts FMNP coupons for fruit and vegetables, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

The coupons come in books of five. They are distributed through such outlets as Saratoga County’s Office of the Aging as well as the state’s Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. The county’s Office of the Aging will distribute coupons on site at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market at designated dates this summer.

Individuals over age 60 can request coupons, as well as younger persons who participate in WIC.

The state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets describes the program as a means of promoting food security. It helps those who are economically distressed gain more access to healthy, locally grown fresh foods. At the same time, it generates income for local farmers and supports farmers’ markets as community venues.

Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Using the coupons is simple. At the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, participating vendors display signs at their stalls that indicate their acceptance of FMNP coupons. Customers can redeem the coupons for fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms in $4 increments.

Farmers work with customers to maximize the coupons’ value.

For instance, a large basket of potatoes might cost $5. A customer can use a $4 coupon to buy the potatoes and add an additional dollar of cash, or request that the vendor reduce the amount of potatoes so that the price comes to $4. In a different scenario, a bunch of kale might cost $3. The vendor might add a little more to the bunch to equal $4 or add a separate item such as an apple.

The overall goal is to ensure that more people have access to local food.

Filed Under: Featured Article, homepage feature, News Tagged With: coupons, FMNP, food access, Pleasant Valley Farm, WIC

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Looking forward to another Saturday market! Since Looking forward to another Saturday market! Since January is National Soup Month (and this week sure has been a cold one), why not grab a soup kit from Gomez Veggie Ville this Saturday and get to creating some hearty homemade soups? Find us 9:30am - 1:30pm in the Wilton Mall food court to get your weekly fix of good food!
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#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #saratoga #eatlocal #shoplocal #supportlocal #food #fresh #local #518 #soup #nationalsoupmonth
Looking to grow your business in the new year? Ven Looking to grow your business in the new year? Vendor applications for our summer market are now open from January 15th-31st! Local farmers, artisans, crafters, and specialty food makers are welcome to apply. For more information visit our website https://www.saratogafarmersmarket.org/vendor/
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#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #farmersmarketfresh #saratogany #wilton #smallbusinesssaratoga #localbusiness #smallbusiness #smallbusinesssupport
Another week, another Market Crush Monday! This we Another week, another Market Crush Monday! This week we talked to Argyle Cheese Farmer’s Dave, who brings a variety of aged cheeses, curds, yogurt, smoothies, frozen pizzas, and more to the market each week!

1. How did you get started with Argyle Cheese Farmer?
My wife, Marge, and I started back in 2007 with producing yogurt, buttermilk and cheese on my family farmstead which had been in operation since 1860. Over the years, Marge - who is quite the visionary! - has expanded our business and product line immensely but we have always stayed committed to using only high quality milk from local farms without artificial hormones.

2. Can you tell me a little bit about your recent expansion?
We recently opened a retail store and production facility in Hudson Falls where you can buy all of our products as well as a collection of local artisan’s eggs, honey, maple syrup, and much more. The cool thing about this location is that we built it with windows into our production area so you can watch some of your favorites being made!

3. What is your favorite part about vending at the market? 
That would definitely be meeting the people who love our products. I’ve made some really great friends over the years and it's nice to be able to see familiar faces each week. 

Be sure to visit the Argyle Cheese Farmer every Saturday from 9:30 to 1:30 in the Wilton Mall food court! 

Are you interested in becoming a vendor at the market? Our summer vendor applications are open now from January 15th-31st! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to grow your business and join the farmers’ market community!
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#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #saratoga #knowyourfarmer #farmermarketfinds #farmfresh #shoplocal #farmersmarketfresh #argylecheesefarmer #argyle #cheese #dairy
Give your gut a little love during these cold, dar Give your gut a little love during these cold, dark winter months! Grab @puckersgourmet probiotics, like pickles, kimchi, and sauerkraut, at the market this Saturday. We'll be open with 40+ local vendors from 9:30am til 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court. Healthy has never tasted so delicious!

🤸 What's your favorite gut-boosting food? 🤸
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#farmersmarket #saratoga #saratogasprings #saratogafarmersmarket #upstateny #pickles #probiotics #puckersgourmet #puckerspickles #tasty #healthy

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    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
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