Help the Melrose Farmers' Market Fight Food Insecurity

With an average home price over $800K and a median household income of almost $127K, it may be easy to forget that approximately 1 in 25 Melrose residents lives below the poverty level. Households with poverty are at a much higher risk of food insecurity, meaning they lack access to sufficient nutritious food. In 2024, 1,827 Melrose residents received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. While food prices have increased 23.6% percent since 2020, SNAP benefits have not risen in tandem.

The Melrose Farmers’ Market believes that healthy food should be accessible to all. In response to the pandemic, the Market began providing a $10 per week match program to SNAP recipients to increase their available currency to spend at the market. Using Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits, SNAP shoppers are also able to get $20 per month back on their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for purchasing fresh produce from Dick’s Market Garden, Moonlight Farm, or Oakdale Farm at the Market. In addition, Dick’s Market Garden donates leftover weekly produce to the Food Drive, a Melrose-based hunger relief and food rescue organization.

The Market has been able to fund the SNAP match in previous years thanks to generous donations and sponsorship. In 2024, $17,500 SNAP match funds were distributed, but the need will likely be greater this year. Food prices are anticipated to increase another 3.5% in 2025. Recent cuts to state HIP funding have decreased subsidies from $40-80 to $20 per household. Proposed federal legislation would cut SNAP benefits.

Two great fundraisers in May and June will help raise funds for the SNAP Match program. On Monday, May 19th, head to Giacomo’s for a bite to eat, a cocktail, or just to pick up takeout and say hello. Executive Director Kristen Schreck and Market Manager Steph Zabel will be guest bartending.

On June 21st (rain date June 22nd) the Urban Garden Tour will return. Running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents and visitors can discover the beauty and creativity flourishing in 12 local urban gardens. To kick off the event, attendees are encouraged to gather at Bowden Park starting at 8:30 a.m. for a pre-event gathering where guests can buy tickets, pick up tour maps, and purchase coffee and Mama Jean pastries while mingling with fellow garden enthusiasts.

Can’t make one of these events? Sponsorships and donations are always welcome! More information can be found at www.melrosefarmersmarket.org or via email at melrosefarmersmarket@gmail.com.