Farmers Markets

Why does Market Match invest in Small Farmers and Farmers’ Markets? Interview with Efren Avalos, owner of Avalos Farm

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Why does Market Match invest in Small Farmers and Farmers' Markets? Interview with Efren Avalos, owner of Avalos Farm
Market Match provides extra money to CalFresh recipients to afford fresh fruits and vegetables across the state at over 290 sites to make fresh and nutrient dense food more affordable. But why does Market Match prioritize produce grown by California small farmers instead of just any large-scale industrial farm? It’s because we know we need… Read more »

Ecology Center’s food justice work in the East Bay: Launch of first grocery store location for Market Match in West Oakland

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Ecology Center's food justice work in the East Bay: Launch of first grocery store location for Market Match in West Oakland
Ecology Center is proud to announce our recent partnership and the start of Market Match at our first grocery store location in 2023 – Mandela Grocery Co-op in West Oakland! This means that all CA-grown produce is 50% off for shoppers spending their CalFresh EBT benefits. Market Match is a statewide program that is funded… Read more »

From Lunar New Year to Valentine’s Day, here are a list of products at the Berkeley Farmers’ Markets to make your celebrations shine

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From Lunar New Year to Valentine's Day, here are a list of products at the Berkeley Farmers' Markets to make your celebrations shine
With Lunar New Year, Super Bowl Sunday, Mardi Gras, and Valentine’s Day all taking place over the next week this February, there’s a lot to celebrate! Whether you’re observing all or just one of them, here’s a quick list of items you can find at our markets this week to take your festivities to the… Read more »

North Berkeley Farmers’ Market Lifts All-Organic Rule to Boost Inclusivity and Variety

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avocadoes, lemons, and oranges for sale at the Berkeley Farmers' Market
  In an intriguing and exciting development, the North Berkeley Farmers’ Market plans to broaden its product selection and help foster small vendor inclusivity by removing its all-organic certified vendor requirement. The decision to lift the all-organic certification mandate for agricultural vendors at the North Berkeley market comes as a response to challenges surrounding product… Read more »

Market Match Update: Funding Secured! CA State Budget Funds Program Through 2028

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Market Match Update: Funding Secured! CA State Budget Funds Program Through 2028
Thanks to the support of many organizations, elected officials, and individuals, Ecology Center’s Market Match program has secured funding through 2028. The California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), which funds Market Match, received $35 million in the 2023 State Budget, thanks to the hard work of many supporters.  Market Match enables CalFresh shoppers to double their… Read more »