USDA Officials Visit Pasadena Farmers Market; Shine Spotlight on Market Match and Farmers Market During Hunger Action Month

On Tuesday, September 13, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will tour the Market Match program at the Pasadena Certified Farmers Market at Villa Parke Community Center to highlight the USDA’s goal of expanding SNAP/CalFresh Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) accessibility at farmers markets across the country and to bring awareness during Hunger Action Month.

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) health programs, in collaboration with City of Pasadena Farmers Market and Hunger Action Los Angeles, brought the Market Match program to Villa Parke and the Altadena Farmers Market in 2015.

USDA FNS Administrator Audrey Rowe, a senior official responsible for the national SNAP/CalFresh Program, and FNS Western Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza Jr., who oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs in California and several other western states, will speak to the press and tour the farmers market to see the Market Match Program operated by Hunger Action Los Angeles, which works to end hunger and promote healthy eating through advocacy, direct service, and organizing. Funds for the Market Match program were made available by the Ecology Center, Hunger Action Los Angeles, and the Pasadena Unified School District.

Market Match reduces hunger, promotes healthy eating, supports local small farmers and ultimately helps the environment through making sustainable farming viable. Program participants must spend at least $10 of their CalFresh or own money to receive $10 worth of Market Match vouchers. The Market Match-eligible population includes: CalFresh, WIC participants, and seniors. Eligible participants have access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Participants may join the program at information booths at the Villa Parke Farmers Market on Tuesdays and at Altadena Farmers Market on Wednesdays.

FNS provides children and needy families with better access to food and a more healthful diet through its domestic nutrition assistance programs and nutrition education efforts. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), school and summer meals programs, and food distribution programs as well as farm to school.

Speakers’ statements will be followed by a brief Q&A and tour of the farmers’ market which reporters are invited to join. Spanish language media is encouraged to attend.

For more information on PUSD’s Health Programs, visit gopusd.com/health or Katia Ahmed, Project Coordinator, at (626) 396-3600 ext 10201.

USDA Officials Tour Market Match at Pasadena Farmers Market will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Discussion and Tour at Villa Parke Community Center (363 E. Villa St., Pasadena).