Making Farmer’s Market Accessible to All in Mid Atlantic
December 2021
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
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Kids Eat in Color has donated to FreshFarm, an organization nominated by Mary Rose, a member of our Kids Eat in Color Community.
A farmer’s market regular, Mary Rose started volunteering at the Columbia Heights Farmers Market in 2012, helping customers shop with their nutrition benefits. From this work, she became inspired by Community Foodworks’ dedication to making the farmer market accessible and welcoming to all in the community. In 2019, Community Foodworks merged with FreshFarm and continues to help provide access to fresh foods and food education to communities in the Mid Atlantic region. Mary Rose has since joined the board. Learn more about FreshFarm and its impact on the community from Mary Rose.
What drew you to this organization?
I was inspired by the organizations’ dedication to making the market an accessible, welcoming place for all members of the community. Over the years, I became more involved – managing volunteers and then joining the Board. I’m constantly impressed by the tireless work of the staff to support producers, educate kids, and promote equitable access to healthy food. It’s been amazing to play a small part in expanding FreshFarm’s innovative approach to building food justice and sustainability throughout the mid-Atlantic.
FreshFarm is also dedicated to educating kids about healthy food choices, supporting families in stretching their food dollars, and building resilient food systems that work for everyone, particularly those that have been historically marginalized. Like Kids Eat in Color, we want to make it easier for parents and caregivers, regardless of their backgrounds, to provide nutritious food for their families.
What has been the most validating moment volunteering and now working with FreshFarm?
Volunteering at the market afforded me the opportunity to regularly connect with our customers, particularly those shopping with SNAP and WIC benefits, witnessing firsthand how our programs supported kids, families, and seniors in need. Seeing the challenges families face in navigating the different ways to utilize these benefits and matching dollars at the markets better informed my nutrition policy work.”
Tell us more about the impact of this work in your community?
FreshFarm has built a pop-up food hub model that leverages farmers markets as wholesale distribution points, increasing access to fresh food in low-income communities and creating new market opportunities for farmers. In 2020, we scaled up these operations by 600% to meet increased demand, distributing more than 22,000 bags of produce throughout the DC area.
In 2020, our markets generated nearly $16m in revenue for farmers and producers and redeemed $300,000 in nutrition benefits and incentive matching dollars. Our Foodprints program provided nutrition education to 5,700 children in 15 schools.
What is something you wished more people knew concerning this work?
I want people to understand that farmers markets can be comfortable community spaces for everyone, not just wealthy consumers, and that folks shopping with nutritional benefits are working hard to feed their families as best they can. I hope people can teach their kids that everyone is deserving of food that nourishes them and we can all be a part of ensuring that happens.
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
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Kids Eat in Color has donated to FreshFarm, an organization nominated by Mary Rose, a member of our Kids Eat in Color Community.
A farmer’s market regular, Mary Rose started volunteering at the Columbia Heights Farmers Market in 2012, helping customers shop with their nutrition benefits. From this work, she became inspired by Community Foodworks’ dedication to making the farmer market accessible and welcoming to all in the community. In 2019, Community Foodworks merged with FreshFarm and continues to help provide access to fresh foods and food education to communities in the Mid Atlantic region. Mary Rose has since joined the board. Learn more about FreshFarm and its impact on the community from Mary Rose.
What drew you to this organization?
I was inspired by the organizations’ dedication to making the market an accessible, welcoming place for all members of the community. Over the years, I became more involved – managing volunteers and then joining the Board. I’m constantly impressed by the tireless work of the staff to support producers, educate kids, and promote equitable access to healthy food. It’s been amazing to play a small part in expanding FreshFarm’s innovative approach to building food justice and sustainability throughout the mid-Atlantic.
FreshFarm is also dedicated to educating kids about healthy food choices, supporting families in stretching their food dollars, and building resilient food systems that work for everyone, particularly those that have been historically marginalized. Like Kids Eat in Color, we want to make it easier for parents and caregivers, regardless of their backgrounds, to provide nutritious food for their families.
What has been the most validating moment volunteering and now working with FreshFarm?
Volunteering at the market afforded me the opportunity to regularly connect with our customers, particularly those shopping with SNAP and WIC benefits, witnessing firsthand how our programs supported kids, families, and seniors in need. Seeing the challenges families face in navigating the different ways to utilize these benefits and matching dollars at the markets better informed my nutrition policy work.”
Tell us more about the impact of this work in your community?
FreshFarm has built a pop-up food hub model that leverages farmers markets as wholesale distribution points, increasing access to fresh food in low-income communities and creating new market opportunities for farmers. In 2020, we scaled up these operations by 600% to meet increased demand, distributing more than 22,000 bags of produce throughout the DC area.
In 2020, our markets generated nearly $16m in revenue for farmers and producers and redeemed $300,000 in nutrition benefits and incentive matching dollars. Our Foodprints program provided nutrition education to 5,700 children in 15 schools.
What is something you wished more people knew concerning this work?
I want people to understand that farmers markets can be comfortable community spaces for everyone, not just wealthy consumers, and that folks shopping with nutritional benefits are working hard to feed their families as best they can. I hope people can teach their kids that everyone is deserving of food that nourishes them and we can all be a part of ensuring that happens.
To learn more about FreshFarm.