Social Service Programs
Social Service Programs
Social Service Nutrition Programs at La Cienega Farmers Market And Affiliated Grant Programs
The La Cienega Farmers Market participates in and accepts payments from the following federal and state programs in order to provide an affordable, healthy eating lifestyle to its community, and directly support local farmers.
CalFresh (EBT): CalFresh, is also known as the federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). It is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.
La Cienega Farmers Market is an authorized SNAP merchant, providing federal nutrition assistance to qualified recipients. Customers who swipe their EBT card at the information booth will receive an additional (up to) $10 in Market Match coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. Coupons are not to be exchanged for cash or other market currency
Market Match (MM) is California’s healthy food incentive program, which matches CalFresh benefits at a limited number of participating farmers’ markets. Market Match funds are provided through federal grants received by the Ecology Center to address food insecurity among low-income shoppers. The MNP is one of five lead partners of the Ecology Center for Market Match in Los Angeles county and has been administrating Market Match for over eight years. La Cienega Farmers Market receives its Market Match funding from the Model Neighborhood Program (MNP), a local 501 (c)3 community improvement organization.
- Customers who swipe their EBT card at the information booth will receive an additional (up to) $10 in Market Match coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables. Coupons are not to be exchanged for cash or other market currency
Women Infant and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP): A supplemental nutrition program for women, infant, and children under 5 yrs old. Must meet income guidelines to qualify.
- La Cienega Farmers Market is an FMNP authorized market. Customers can spend their FMNP checks directly with a farmer for fresh produce May through end of November. Checks are good only for fresh fruit, vegetables, and cut herbs. Coupons are not to be exchanged for cash or other market currency. No change given.
- FMNP Coupon Match: The MNP has again been awarded the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to Fork CNIP Expansion Grant for 2022 and 2023! FMNP checks will be matched, dollar for dollar, from May through November, depending on available funds. FMNP coupon booklets provide WIC recipients the opportunity to purchase the freshest produce from farmers markets, and the FMNP Match will add additional nutrition incentives to those who shop at La Cienega and other participating markets. As a CDFA grant recipient, MNP has been able to provide fresh produce incentives to over 1200 WIC families at participating markets during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Seniors): An extension of WIC specifically for farmers markets. Also distributed to qualifying Seniors.
- La Cienega Farmers Market is an FMNP authorized market. Qualifying Senior customers can spend their FMNP coupons at the market for fresh produce and receive additional nutrition incentives. To make shopping easier and safer, Seniors can also use their FMNP coupons & nutrition incentives to purchase a produce bag at 3 participating local Senior Centers. Contact us for more information.