Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program that matches customers’ CalFresh (EBT) nutrition assistance benefits at farmers’ markets. The Market Match program was founded in 2009 by the Ecology Center of Berkley, California Partner, Roots of Change. The program was originally funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. In 2015, the Ecology Center received one of the USDA’s first-ever Gus Schumacher Nutrition Program (GusNIP) grants. The Phelan Certified Farmers Market, with the support of the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District, was one of many partners that participated and were named a Market Match partner in 2015.
The Market Match program has been administered at the Phelan Certified Farmers Market since 2015, benefiting families in our High Desert home by providing over $60,000 in farm-fresh produce over the last decade. Each CalFresh (EBT) recipient benefits from the program by simply utilizing their benefits at the Phelan Certified Farmers Market by completing a transaction of $15 or more with the market manager, and they then receive an additional $15 in Market Match tokens valid for farm fresh produce purchases at the Phelan Certified Farmers Market.
If the customer does not wish to or is unable to spend $15 at the Phelan Certified Farmers Market, we can match up to $15.00.For instance, you process your EBT transaction for $5.00, and you will then receive $5.00 in free farm fresh produce (Market Match) tokens. The Phelan Certified Farmers Market can provide this “Market Match” each and every Monday we are open throughout the year, from 2 pm to 5 pm (to 6 pm in the Spring & Summer), inside and outside at the Phelan Community Center, 4128 Warbler Road, in Phelan. The Market Match grant through the Phelan Certified Farmers Market provides up to $60 in farm-fresh produce to families in our High Desert each month, extending grocery budgets that are stretched thin and providing essential nutrients.
