Produce in a SNAP! Launches July 9th

Produce in a SNAP! will provide 16 weekly deliveries of fresh vegetables to residents at very low cost.

The Medford Farmers Market has partnered with The Medford Housing Authority, the Medford Board of Health, and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, to help Medford residents with limited incomes eat more healthy, fresh, locally produced food. We are offering two exciting programs: the new Produce in a SNAP! program, and the SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) matching benefits program, which we will continue to offer at the weekly Medford Farmers Market.

Produce in a SNAP! is a brand-new, community supported agriculture (CSA) pilot program. From July 9th to October 22nd, ten boxes of vegetables will be delivered weekly to residents of the Willis Ave branch of the Medford Housing Authority. New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, an incubator farm for immigrant, refugee, and new farmers, will provide the vegetables. Willis Ave residents will pay a reduced price for each box of vegetables, fruits, and other local products. The program will also deliver cookbooks and recipes, including recipes provided by residents of Willis Ave. This program is the first step toward the goal of creating a mobile market that will serve multiple Medford neighborhoods every summer.

The Produce in a SNAP! partnership includes the Medford Farmers Market, the Medford Housing Authority, the Willis Ave Resident Committee, and the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Tufts University Experimental College Philanthropy Class has provided generous funding for the project.

In addition to the Produce in a SNAP! program, the Medford Farmers Market will continue to match SNAP benefits, up to $20 per week, at its weekly Thursday market. These benefits help people purchase $40 worth of healthier food for themselves and their families, which is a great investment in Medford’s future. The project has received generous support from various community members answering our call to help support a healthy Medford. To support this exciting project, visit the Medford Farmers Market website.

The Medford Farmers Market opens for the summer season on Thursday, June 5, behind City Hall, 3-7 pm, and continues weekly through October 9th, with the exception of July 3rd. For more breaking news about the Medford Farmers Market, visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MedfordFarmerMkt.

Questions? Email medfordfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

– Submitted by Susan Altman. Courtesy photo.