Tigard, OR – June 23rd 2015 – The Tigard Farmers Market (TFM) is leveraging $73K in federal funding from the USDA in a defined project to boost low-income, low access customer patronage by increasing awareness of SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants & Children) and EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) programs through marketing, advertising and other outreach to the Tigard community.
Partnering with Washington County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, the TFM is helping WIC expand their outreach efforts by being a WIC distribution site during the market season. This means participants may receive their Farm Direct Nutrition Program vouchers directly at the market and then turn around and use them with participating farms. The first day of this program at the Sunday Tigard Farmers Market in Downtown Tigard is June 28th.
In addition to this program, TFM through a partnership and generous grant from New Seasons is able to provide a 1:1 match on EBT tokens at the Tigard Farmers Market for EBT token purchases up to $40. What this means is someone swiping their EBT card to purchase $10 in EBT tokens, walks away from the market booth with $20 of EBT tokens available to spend on fresh food. This doubles the amount of food that can be purchased under this program.
The TFM is a community gathering place, and as such, is a great location for an American Red Cross Blood Drive. Community members can patronize local farms, enjoy great music, grab some lunch and then give from the heart by donating blood. The blood drive is also Sunday, June 28th.
So mark your calendars and help us spread the word about:
- WIC Farm Direct Nutrition Program Voucher Distribution – Sunday 6/28 @ the Tigard Farmers Market Downtown
- EBT Matching program (Sunday (Downtown)
- American Red Cross Blood Drive – Sunday 6/28 at the Tigard Farmers Market Downtown
Did you know that several of our farms at the end of the Sunday market donate their surplus fruits, vegetables and produce to several local area food pantries and shelters? Truly, Tigard Farmers Market is a place where farmers, community and non-profits come together to GROW. GATHER. GIVE.
About WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
About SNAP
SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The Food and Nutrition Service works with State agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and can access benefits. FNS also works with State partners and the retail community to improve program administration and ensure program integrity.
About EBT
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows a recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a Federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received. EBT is used in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. EBT has been implemented in all States since June of 2004.Think we should add some background here.