BOISE—The Boise Farmers Market is teaming up with the city of Boise on a program that will make fresh produce more affordable and available to people in low-income neighborhoods.
A mobile farmers’ market will take produce grown in the Treasure Valley directly to six neighborhoods in Boise where many people don’t have ready access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Boise City Council members unanimously voted June 2 to match the first $10 of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program purchases made by buyers at the mobile market, which debuts June 8.
That means a person who swipes their SNAP card for $20 at the mobile market will be able to purchase $30 worth of produce.
“Those that struggle the most economically have the most difficult time affording fresh fruits and vegetables and getting them in their diet,” said City Councilman T.J. Thompson, who proposed the financial match. “By doubling their buying power, this will allow them to put their money toward purchasing healthier foods. Plus, it also helps our local farmers.”
People in those low-income neighborhoods are often the least able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables, said BFM Director Karen Ellis.
“Hopefully, we’re going to be reaching a lot of people that are not able to get to the market,” she said. “It will be a great opportunity for the customers and it’s another income stream source for our vendors at the market.”
The mobile market, which is a re-purposed refrigerated trailer, will follow a Parks and Recreation Department mobile recreation van into the neighborhoods Monday through Thursday and set up nearby.
“We’ll set up a mini farmers’ market at those locations for ... two-hour increments,” said BFM vendor Janie Burns, who helped organize the program.
While the parks and rec van is providing kids free activities, “We’ll be conveniently nearby, selling produce,” she added.
Besides partnering with the city of Boise, the BFM is also joining forces with the University of Idaho’s SNAP education program, which teaches people how to use fresh produce.
Two graduate students will study the impact of the program.
“We’re looking at this as a new wholesale market for our farmers,” Burns said. “This is like a triple-quadruple win. We’re really excited about it.”
The BFM will purchase produce from its farmers at wholesale prices and sell it at retail prices through the mobile van.
“Farmers can sell stuff without having to be there,” said Purple Sage Farms Production Manager Mike Sommer, who will provide produce for the mobile market. “This is something that could be and should be done by other markets, too.”
Rice Farms owner Lee Rice will also provide produce for the market but said he’s more excited about how the program can help people with low incomes improve their eating habits.
“This will be a way they can get more fresh produce in their diet and taste what local, seasonal produce tastes like,” he said. “We like the concept and the idea and want to support it.”
Source:http: www.capitalpress.com