Market Match is a program that aims to provide low-income shoppers the opportunity to not only shop locally but also develop healthier eating habits.
CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps) EBT cardholders can go to select farmers markets in San Luis Obispo County and swipe their cards to get an additional $10 to $15 to spend on local produce.
“It brings money into the market… for the local farmers and other vendors, and then also allows the customer to double their money and be able to get farm fresh produce,” said Robyn Gable, Manager of the North County Farmer’s Market Association.
There are currently five markets in San Luis Obispo County that are participating in this initiative:
- Los Osos: Monday, 2-4:30 p.m., 2nd Street and 3rd Street
- Paso Robles: Tuesday, 9-11:30 a.m., 11th Street and Spring Street
- Atascadero: Wednesday, 3-6 p.m., Sunken Gardens, East Mall Avenue
- San Luis Obispo: Thursday, 6-9 p.m., Higuera Street
- Templeton: Saturday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., City Park, 6th Street
“It’s just a highly underutilized program… it is sort of this secret that nobody knew existed and we are really trying to get the word out,” said County Health Promotion Community Wellness Program Manager Jen Miller.
To see if you qualify to take advantage of this program, click here. To find other participating farmer’s markets, click here.
