Danbury Farmer's Market Receives $8K Grant

Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit organization based in Connecticut, has announced an award to the Danbury Farmers’ Market Community Collaborative of $8,000 to partially defray the cost of operating nutrition incentive programs at the Danbury Farmers’ Market, while doubling the value of government nutrition benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.

Danbury Farmers’ Market is open every Friday, 11 a.m. to 5p.m.. through October 30 at Kennedy Park (Main & Elm Streets). In its sixth year of providing “Better Health Through Better Food,” the Danbury Farmers’ Market is a wholesome addition to the arising Wave and bustle on the downtown CityCenter scene.

A nationally recognized leader in the field of nutrition incentive programs, Wholesome Wave partners with farmers markets, community leaders, healthcare providers, like-minded nonprofits and government entities to implement programs that benefit consumers in under-served communities and the small- and mid-sized farms that provide for them. Wholesome Wave takes a holistic, community-based approach to its initiatives, striving to create a vibrant, just and sustainable food system.

Founded by former USDA Undersecretary Gus Schumacher and chef and food activist Michel Nischan, Wholesome Wave currently provides training, technical assistance and statewide network development support to 13 partners, 28 farmers’ market programs, 3 community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and 5 mobile market programs in Connecticut.

In addition to the grant, the DFMCC has been invited to join Wholesome Wave’s National Nutrition Incentive Network Grants Program, a network of incentive program operators working together towards the goal of making fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables available and affordable to all. The network includes over 70 member organizations in over 30 states and Washington DC, representing 600 direct-to-consumer sites, and enables nutrition incentive program practitioners to work collaboratively to strengthen the programs in their own communities and be a part of a national effort to transform federal policy.

Additional support is provided by the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Danbury Housing Partnership, Danbury Housing Authority, Dorothy Day Hospitality House, The City of Danbury and various community places of worship. For more information about the Danbury Farmers’ Market and other CityCenter Danbury programs, call (203) 792 1711 or visit citycenterdanbury.com