Patrick Administration Promotes Mobile Farmers Markets In Worcester

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION PROMOTES MOBILE FARMERS MARKETS IN WORCESTER

Cross-agency initiative highlights healthy food options for low-income individuals and families

BOSTON – Friday, June 27, 2014 – Patrick Administration officials joined community partners in Worcester today to showcase Massachusetts’ Mobile Farmers Markets and raise awareness about healthy eating options for low-income residents across the Commonwealth. 

Mobile Farmers Markets provide increased access for families and individuals who may not have easy access to healthy food options.

“The Department is committed to helping clients access healthy food options, including fresh fruits and vegetables and mobile farmer’s markets, which accept SNAP, play an important role in reaching that goal,” said Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Commissioner Stacey Monahan. “I am happy to join my colleagues in government and community members to bring attention to farmer’s markets and initiatives that help our clients eat healthy.”

Mobile Markets from across the Commonwealth participated in the kick-off, including Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market in Springfield, Somerville Mobile Farmer’s Market, REC Mobile Farmer’s Market in Worcester, The Fresh Truck in Boston, and the Lowell Mobile Market. Each mobile market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and many offer additional programs, such as Senior and Women Infant and Children (WIC) Farmers Market coupons and matching programs, to help clients get the most for their benefits.

Commissioner Monahan joined local officials and community partners at the Worcester YMCA to showcase the mobile markets.

“The public’s passion for farmers’ markets reaffirms the health benefits of locally grown and produced food every day,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “With mobile markets making fresh food available to our urban neighborhoods, everyone can take advantage of the nutritious bounty that farmers across the Commonwealth are growing.”

During the visit, attendees toured the mobile markets and spoke about the importance of providing healthy options for residents across the Commonwealth. Later this year, DTA will join other state agencies to launch a farmers market tour to further promote healthy food options for families and individuals with stops across the Commonwealth.

While farming has decreased elsewhere in the U.S., it has grown in Massachusetts, according to the 2012 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural census. This is in part thanks to strategic investments made by the Patrick Administration. This Administration has launched one of the nation’s first state-funded urban farming initiatives and supported new farmers by providing business planning and technical assistance along with a modest infusion of capital to help them expand productivity.

Massachusetts ranks 5th in the nation for direct market sales and has seen a 95 percent increase in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) since 2007, according to the Census.

In addition to the Bounty Bucks program and other SNAP and WIC matching programs, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources administers the Massachusetts’ Farmers Market Coupon Program, which began in Massachusetts in 1986 as a demonstration program and has since become adapted nationally as part of the federal Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program enhances access to community supported agriculture programs, like farmers' markets and roadside stands, to elders in need. DTA serves one in seven residents across the Commonwealth, many who are elderly, disabled individuals, children and expectant mothers.

Learn more about using SNAP benefits at Massachusetts’ Farmers’ Markets: http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/docs/snap-consumer-info.pdf

Learn more about the Massachusetts’ Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/markets/farmers-markets/farmers-market-coupon-program.html