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 accept 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 merchants and provide access to farm fresh produce and authorized prepacked food items for these qualified recipients.
Market Match (MM): 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 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 current 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, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP): A supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, 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 – November each year. FMNP funds can only be used to purchase 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.
- Year-Round Shopping: WIC participants can shop year-round using their Fruits & Veggies Benefit (this is the same allotments of funds that can be used at grocery chains). Recipients can also receive matching benefits on these funds by shopping at our market. Please visit the market’s information booth for more information.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): An extension of WIC specifically for low-income seniors to use at farmers markets. ECards are distributed to qualifying Seniors at senior centers across the state from May – November each year.
La Cienega Farmers Market @ 18th Street and Kaiser WLA are WIC authorized markets. This program has transitioned from coupons to SFMNP ECards. Qualifying senior customers can spend their SFMNP funds on fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey at the farmers market by using their Senior SFMNP ECard directly with authorized farmers. Seniors can also receive additional nutrition incentives funds at our information booth. Stop by the information booth on your next visit for more information.
Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving conditions of health in our communities. Lack of access to healthy food and consumption of unhealthy food have broad and profound effects on the health of communities. Kaiser Permanente is advancing Food is Medicine (FIM) strategies to address the food and nutrition security in our communities. Through Kaiser Permanente’s Food Is Medicine Grant, WIC and EBT recipients who use their benefits at our farmers market receive additional incentives for fresh fruits and vegetables. Please contact us at our Info Booth for more information.