Starting in July, CalFresh/EBT shoppers at the downtown Santa Cruz farmers market can receive up to $20 in matching funds through the market match program, thanks to a grant from Kaiser Permanente.
Rates for Market Match, which provides dollar-for-dollar matches on EBT (electronic benefits transfer) purchases for fruits and vegetables, have increased from $15 to $20 at the downtown market through December. This means a $20 EBT purchase becomes $40 in spending power once per market day, Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets said in a news release.
Since launching in Santa Cruz County in 2010, Market Match has expanded to nearly all local markets. At the downtown Santa Cruz market alone, average weekly EBT participation has grown from 35 to 200 shoppers since 2020.
Market Match supports both food access and local agriculture. Many participating farms use organic practices and provide above average wages and benefits. Shoppers can redeem EBT at the market’s information booth.
Have news that should be in Lookout Briefs? Send your news releases, including contact information, to news@lookoutlocal.com.
