Social Service Programs
Social Service Nutrition Programs at La Cienega Farmers Markets, And Affiliated Grant Programs
The La Cienega Farmers Market @ 18th Street and @ Kaiser WLA both participate in and accepts payments from the following federal and state programs 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), is for people who meet federal income eligibility rules.
La Cienega Farmers Market @ 18th Street and @ Kaiser WLA are both authorized SNAP/EBT merchant and provides access to farmers fresh produce and authorized prepacked food items for these qualified recipients.
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 Center grants to address food insecurity among low-income shoppers. The MNP is one of five lead partners in Los Angeles County with the Ecology Center, who administers the distribution of Market Match funds to a group of non-profits that operate farmers markets.
Customers who process their EBT benefits at either of our market information booths will receive a dollar-for-dollar match in Market Match coupons, good for fresh fruits and vegetables. The matching amount varies, depending on current grant funds and has been as low as a $5 match, and as high as a $25 match. Visit the manager’s booth for updated information. Coupons are not to be exchanged for cash or other market currency and are only good for fruits and vegetables. This program directly benefits the small California farmer and the families it feeds.
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 @ 18th Street and Kaiser WLA are WIC authorized markets. Customers can spend their FMNP program funds directly with a farmer for fresh produce May through end of November. FMNP funds are good only for fresh fruit, vegetables, and cut herbs.
- FMNP Match: The MNP has again been awarded the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to Fork CNIP Expansion Grant! This program has transitioned from FMNP coupons to the WIC ECard. WIC recipients will receive these summer FMNP benefits on their cards and when they shop at our markets can receive a matching benefit good for additional fruits and vegetables. Please visit the market’s information booth for more information. As a CDFA grant recipient, MNP has been able to provide fresh produce incentives for over fifteen years.
FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Seniors): An extension of WIC specifically for farmers markets. Also distributed to qualifying Seniors.
La Cienega Farmers Market @ 18th Street and Kaiser WLA are WIC authorized markets. This program has transitioned from coupons to Senior WIC ECards. Qualifying senior customers can spend their FMNP funds at the market for fresh produce by using their Senior WIC ECard directly with authorized farmers and receive additional nutrition incentives funds at our managers booth. Contact us at our manager’s booth for more information.