FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vade Donaldson
WSFMA Food Access Programs Manager
vade@wafarmersmarkets.com (206) 706-5198
January 28, 2015
The Washington State Farmers Market Association Builds on the Success of Food Security Efforts
The Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA), together with the Washington Farmers Market Access Partnership (FMAP), is pleased to announce the expansion of the 2015 Regional Leads Program. Now in its second year, the program aims to increase the use of federal food assistance benefits at farmers markets by strengthening relationships among market managers and community partners.
This innovative partnership strategy builds on experience and research that shows farmers markets are best able to serve low income shoppers when they are well connected with local government agencies and community nonprofits working with the same low-income groups. “In the last year, we created new relationships between our 8 regional farmers markets and nearly 15 different community organizations on the Kitsap Peninsula,” noted Julia Zander, Bremerton Farmers Market Manager and West Sound Regional Lead.
Speaking from the Gorge Grown Food Network, where he serves as the Regional Lead for farmers markets in Klickitat and Skamania Counties, Todd Dierker agrees about the effectiveness of the program, stating, “This new partnership for Gorge Grown Food Network with the WSFMA will really strengthen our programming and provide us with the tools to reach new community partners and strengthen low-income access at the farmers’ markets in our region.”
In 2015, participating regions representing more than 50 farmers markets are:
- Greater Spokane and Eastern Washington (since 2014)
- Skagit Valley (since 2014)
- West Sound and Olympic Peninsula (since 2014)
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- WA Columbia River Gorge
As a result of this program in 2014, one market manager noted that it “help[ed] us fulfill one of our core objectives: serving the area’s low-to-moderate-income population” explaining that the new relationships with community groups have “boosted foot traffic, improved customer experience, increased vendor income, and helped EBT families’ dollars go further.”
According to USDA statistics from 2010, nearly 1 in 6 people are food insecure, including more than 17 million households and nearly 49 million people. In Washington State for 2013, SNAP reached 1,113,000 residents through the Washington Basic Food Program. The majority of SNAP recipients in Washington are children, elderly, or disabled. “By opening communication and allowing for collaboration between markets and service agencies,” Zander explained, “we are able to better address the needs of low income shoppers in our community.”
Shoppers appreciate the efforts. “Tacoma Farmer’s Market has the freshest produce straight from local farms.” Jennifer Blackson-Martinez, a SNAP recipient in Pierce County commented. “I come to the Tacoma Farmer’s Market each week to buy the majority of my groceries. I’m so thankful that the market accepts my EBT card, and now the Double your Dollars matching program will help stretch my funds even farther. I really feel fortunate to be able to take part in the matching program so that I can maintain a healthy lifestyle while on a limited budget.”
WSFMA, a statewide association representing over 110 farmers market members across Washington State, houses FMAP, a group of diverse partners representing government, private, and charitable interests with expertise working together for over 15 years to combat food insecurity and increase redemption of federal food benefits.