Free Money at Wellington Square

Details: Category: Community News; Published on Friday, 06 February 2015 15:26; Written by Lora Davis

At the Wellington Square Certified Farmers Market, you can double your benefits with the new Market Match program. “I didn’t think I would be eligible since I get a pension as well as my Social Security but I did. I decided to buy the Cherimoya fruit this time at the Farmers Market.” Bernadette Cotton.

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Market Match allows you to double your EBT dollars, use $10 with your EBT and receive an additional $10, or purchase for $5-10 to receive double that amount, for WIC or SSI beneficiaries.

The Market Match program was founded by Roots of Change in 2009. Since then, the Market Match program has received funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, helping to incentivize shoppers to spend their CalFresh (EBT), WIC or SSI benefits on California-grown fruits, vegetables and nuts.

The Wellington Square Certified Farmers Market has been in operation for almost 5 years at the same location, in the Smyrna Church Parking Lot, at 4394 W Washington Blvd. The organizers of the market have consistently provided certified and organic fruits and vegetables from small farms in the area. Although the actual Market Match dollars can’t be used on anything other than fresh produce, the market also offers fresh baked goods and prepared foods. “It’s a great place to hang out on a Sundays, meeting your neighbors or listening to the free live music performances.” We’re also going to start having the local Neighborhood Councils attend the Farmers Market to do outreach starting in March.