June 1, 2021
PROGRAM & POLICY UPDATES
Market Match Team Leads #FundCNIP Campaign
The Ecology Center and our partners are advocating that the state allocate a one-time $20 million investment to the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), or #FundCNIP! CNIP supports the Market Match program which provides extra money to shoppers using CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps) at the farmers’ market. Market Match is available at nearly 250 seasonal and year round farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs, farm stands, and mobile markets in 38 California counties (including Berkeley’s three farmers’ markets).
While Governor Newsom has initially allocated $15 million of one-time funding for CNIP, we are asking that $20 million is included in the budget to reach more CalFresh participants, California small and mid-sized farmers, and bring in and keep money in the state’s regional economies.
Read more about the Market Match’s statewide program impact in 2020 here.
Market Match Expands to New Sites!
We are delighted to announce that 9 new partners have been added to the Market Match program through a competitive application! These new partners include farmers’ markets, mobile markets, and farm stands in areas of high need across the state. Their Market Match programs will begin this summer.

Click on the partner's name below to visit their website:
1 site in Burbank, CA
6 sites in San Diego County, CA
1 site in San Diego, CA
1 site in Upland, CA
1 site in Westchester, CA
We are excited to be able to continue to grow the Market Match program and positively impact the community.
*NEW* College Market Match Promotion Toolkit
We are excited to share our new digital toolkit that provides resources for increasing awareness among college students that they can use their CalFresh at farmers’ markets and get extra money to spend on fruits and vegetables with Market Match. Please use and share widely!
Access to food and housing are major issues for college students in California:

38% of UC undergraduate students were food insecure in 2020, and 25% of UC graduate students were food insecure in 2016, according to UC student surveys.

41.6% of CSU students reported food insecurity and 10.9% indicated experiencing homelessness in a 2019 report.

70% of CCC students said that they had experienced food insecurity or housing insecurity or homelessness in the last year, according to a 2019 report.
This toolkit was created in collaboration between Ecology Center's Youth Development team and Farmers' Market Access & Equity team, and informed by meetings with University of California, California State University and California Community College Basic Needs Committee members. Basic Needs Committees plan to use the toolkit when students return to campuses in fall 2021.
CONFERENCE RECAPS
Small Farms Conference
From February 22 - 28, Ecology Center team members attended and facilitated informative workshops on farmers’ market management and operations at the California Small Farm Conference. The Farmers’ Market Access & Equity team hosted a webinar, “Expanding EBT at Your Farm-Direct Site,” which covered strategies to welcome more customers with EBT to farmers’ markets, CSAs and farm stands.

Access more of the workshop recordings here.
Market Match Face-to-Face Meeting (Virtual Edition)
On March 8, the California Market Match Consortium met virtually for a full-day of learning and connection. This annual meeting strengthens our work as a network dedicated to safe, inclusive, and accessible farmers’ markets and food programs.
National Nutrition Incentive Hub Convening
From March 10-11, the Ecology Center and California Market Match Consortium participated in the National Nutrition Incentive Hub Convening with nutrition incentive program practitioners throughout the country in order to share best practices and discuss the field and future of nutrition incentives nationally. The Nutrition Incentive Hub Technical Assistance Team for Farm Direct Incentive programs includes the Ecology Center, Michigan Farmers’ Market Association, and Farmers Market Coalition. Many of the conference sessions coordinated by the Farm Direct Team featured speakers from the California Market Match Consortium.

Big shoutout to the following presenters:
North Coast Growers Association
Megan Kenney from North Coast Growers Association presented on their Harvest Box Program. (Recording link)
UC Cooperative Extension
Shannon Klisch from the University of California Cooperative Extension and San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market workgroup presented on the value of community partnerships. (Recording link)
CSU Chico Center for Healthy Communities
Jenni Dye from California State University Chico Center for Healthy Communities presented on creative outreach strategies. (Recording link)
Heart of the City Farmers' Market
Abby Winship Hoyos from Heart of the City Farmers’ Market spoke about adaptations and COVID-19 safety. (Recording link)
Alchemist Community Development Corporation
Davida Douglas from Alchemist Community Development Corporation presented on capacity building efforts in Sacramento County. (Recording link)
View all archived conference recordings on our YouTube Channel!
Farmers' Market Access and Equity Program | Ecology Center
(510) 925-4001 | [email protected] | www.ecologycenter.org/ebt