Humboldt Market Match

Food for People continues to partner with the North Coast Grower's Association (NCGA) farmers’ markets' Market Match program. With this program, households can stretch their CalFresh benefits and access more of the locally grown foods sold at NCGA farmers’ markets in Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, Willow Creek, Fortuna, Garberville, Miranda, and Shelter Cove, thanks to a bonus of FREE Market Match dollar tokens provided on top of what they spend in CalFresh benefits at farmers' market.

How do I access CalFresh and Market Match at farmers' markets?

Accessing CalFresh benefits at farmers’ market is easy. Visit the market info booth, where staff will swipe your EBT card for the amount you choose. Then the market manager provides $1 wooden tokens that can be used like cash at the farmers’ stalls to purchase many foods, plus seeds/plants that produce food in a garden. Thanks Market Match, you will also receive a bonus of free Market Match dollar tokens on top of that, to stretch your CalFresh dollars further. This bonus matching benefit is available once per market day, all season long as funds permit.

A lot has changed over the past few years that makes it easier to qualify and apply. For example, eligibility rules have made it easier to qualify, and you can even apply from home. If your income has changed or you are interested in seeing if you might qualify under the many new guidelines, we can help:

• Visit our CalFresh Outreach page for detailed info on how to reach us for personalized help.
• Staff at the farmers' market info booth at farmers’ markets can pre-screen you for eligibility and help you get the application process started.
• Call the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services at 1-877-410-8809.
• Apply online from home or any computer at www.getcalfresh.org, where you can apply quickly via phone, tablet, or computer, submit photos of required documents, and sign-up for text/email alerts throughout the application process;
• or apply online at www.c4yourself.com.

The premier of Market Match in 2011 was a smashing success. EBT usage at NCGA farmers’ markets increased 313% from the year before. NCGA Farmers’ Markets began accepting CalFresh in 2005 and the concept caught on slowly. Only $5,493 in EBT benefits were redeemed during the entire 2008 market season. By 2010, it almost doubled to $10,973. After introducing Market Match in 2011, redemption more than tripled to $34,363. By the 2013 season, CalFresh shoppers at NCGA Farmers' Markets spent $52,177 thanks to community-wide education on utilizing CalFresh and accessing Market Match at local farmers' markets. CalFresh shoppers spent $4,736 at Fortuna and Garberville markets combined. In the 2017 season, CalFresh shoppers spent more than $75,000 in EBT benefits alone at the NCGA + Fortuna & Garberville markets combined.

Shopping at farmers’ markets with CalFresh helps families and individuals to purchase fresh, flavorful fruits and vegetables that are important for good health, while also supporting our local farmers and economy.

To learn more about Market Match, please visit the North Coast Growers' Association website.

To view the full NCGA farmers' market schedule, click here.