Get news and commentary on the California issues you care about in one email.Get the news that matters to all Californians. Start every week informed.A popular program that doubles CalFresh benefits at farmers markets is on the chopping block as California leaders try to close a yawning budget deficit. In a moment when so many Californians are food insecure, slashing the program would be devastating.Sarah Portnoy is a USC professor of Latinx food studies.
When we think of a farmers market in California, we usually picture vibrant displays of beautiful, albeit expensive, fruits and vegetables, and perhaps a tempting array of pricier prepared foods. However, theThey were designed to facilitate a direct connection between farmers and consumers, an arrangement that proved to be a win-win for both small-scale farmers and those seeking affordable, fresh produce.
Today, farmers markets may be more prevalent in affluent neighborhoods, but a key program has been working diligently to uphold their original spirit, making fresh fruits and vegetables accessible to all Californians. Theprogram has successfully placed fresh produce into the shopping bags and kitchens of low-income Californians at more than 293 farmers markets across the state.
, indicating a dire need for programs like Market Match. Cutting this essential program would exacerbate the challenges faced by low-income shoppers in bringing home nutritious food for their families, compounding the intense pressure to simply put food on the table. Access to healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food is a fundamental human right. As Californians confront the potential loss of the match program, we must recognize its profound impact. In a state known for its agricultural abundance, we cannot allow budgetary decisions to compromise the well-being of others in our community.We've recently sent you an authentication link.