Supervisor Preston Introduces Resolution to Save Market Match Program that Doubles Access to Healthy Produce for Low-Income Residents
In response to Governor Newsom’s slashing of funding for the crucial “Market Match” food program, District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution today calling for restoration of the funds. The Governor’s proposed budget cuts $33.2 million from the three-year $35 million California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) budget which includes Market Match. Under the Market Match program, state investments are matched by federal dollars for low-income people to buy fresh produce at farmers’ markets. Preston’s resolution is supported by a broad coalition of food access organizations, farmers markets, and groups serving the poor.
“These state investments, which are matched by the federal government, are absolutely essential to low-income San Franciscans and to the farmers who provide fresh produce at our farmers markets,” said Supervisor Preston, whose district includes the Fillmore and Tenderloin neighborhoods, both of which would be particularly hard hit by the cuts.
Over 101,000 San Franciscans in 74,000 households receive CalFresh benefits (known nationally as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)), and almost 9,000 residents receive Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The Market Match program is available at nine farmers’ market locations throughout the city. In 2023, there were 116,346 customer visits to markets offering Market Match in San Francisco, including 15,072 visits by new customers.
The Heart Of The City (HOTC) farmers’ market, already facing challenges due to its relocation from UN Plaza, would be particularly hard hit. The HOTC farmers market is the largest farmers’ market EBT program in the state, with $2.57 million in CalFresh spending and an estimated $1.91 million in Market Match funding annually, funds that are now in jeopardy.
This resolution aligns with Supervisor Preston’s extensive work to address food insecurity, including urging the California State Legislature to provide supplemental CalFresh benefits, winning Halal Food Vouchers in the Tenderloin in the last budget cycle, support for the Heart of the City Farmers Market in the face of displacement, delaying the abrupt closure of the Fillmore’s only full-scale grocery store, and championing the recently announced Grocery Protection Act.