In a move to bolster food security, Nevada County's Department of Social Services has announced the return of the Market Match Program, catering specifically to CalFresh recipients. According to a recent announcement, the program, managed by Sierra Harvest, promises expanded accessibility and is set to launch this Saturday, running through February 28 of next year or until funds run out.
Even with the delayed start, areas throughout Nevada County will offer matched funds at farmers markets and subsidized Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes. For those utilizing EBT, up to $10 can be matched per visit at the Nevada City Summer Farmers Market. At the same time, a 50% discount on monthly CSA subscriptions is available through Mountain Bounty Farm, with pickups that run weekly.
Another avenue for CalFresh users is Tahoe Truckee Food Hub, offering a 50% match on individual Harvest Box purchases. These options, as mentioned by the Department of Social Services, aim to make fresh, local produce more accessible to those who benefit from CalFresh. Participants are welcome to combine their benefits across these different offerings, receiving a total match of up to $30 per week.
CalFresh customers will find that the process to engage with the program is straightforward. At farmers markets, they need to present their EBT card and a valid ID at the Market Manager’s booth, purchase tokens, and then receive matching tokens up to $10. For CSA box programs, the match is automatically applied with the use of an EBT card—up to $30 per week—with the card needing to be presented at the time of pickup.
However, it's important for those interested to note that the Grass Valley Farmers Market is currently out of the Market Match Program as they work on recertifying their EBT vendor status. Despite their absence, Nevada County officials are hopeful for its future participation. Anyone seeking additional information on the Market Match Program or eligibility requirements can directly contact the Nevada County Department of Social Services.
