FRESHFARM Announces FreshMatch Expansion Across the Region

FRESHFARM is proud to announce an increase in FreshMatch benefits effective immediately. A generous donation from the Schattner Foundation allows FRESHFARM to restore the cap to $30 per shopper per day at all participating markets across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. In 2024, FreshMatch enabled over 5,000 individuals across the region to purchase nutritious local fruits and vegetables, and this funding will allow FRESHFARM to serve approximately 1,000 additional individuals in the coming years. The Schattner Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to positively impacting people’s lives through health and human services, education and research, and Jewish services.

FreshMatch is a FRESHFARM nutrition incentive program that matches federal nutrition benefits like SNAP/EBT (formerly known as Food Stamps), WIC, and Senior FMNP for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. The new funding comes at a time when federal support for food access programs is contracting, yet demand for healthy, affordable food remains high. Earlier this year, FRESHFARM lowered the match cap from $30 per shopper per day to $10 per shopper per day due to funding constraints. The reinstatement of the $30 per day match will help ensure that families facing food insecurity can continue to access the fresh food they need. “The Schattner Foundation’s generous donation empowers our neighbors who are most in need and ensures farmer sustainability,” says FRESHFARM Executive Director Cat Oakar. “By helping us lower the economic barriers to fresh, local food, this support ensures families can make healthy choices while farmers gain the reliable revenue they need to thrive.”

The increase in the FreshMatch incentive cap will be available at all 43 FRESHFARM farmers markets, farm stands, and partner markets in Washington, DC to help low-income shoppers stretch their nutrition benefits to purchase more fresh, local produce. “During these challenging times of shrinking public support for communities most in need, we challenge others to join us in sustaining the vital link between local producers and vulnerable households,” says a Schattner Foundation spokesperson. “Our support helps keep community food systems intact and ensures small farms can continue operating sustainably.”

This increase follows months of rising demand at markets across the region. In the first half of 2025 alone, shoppers using SNAP and FreshMatch spent over $100,000 at more than 30 FRESHFARM and partner markets, underscoring the essential role that nutrition incentives play in household food budgets.

“We are thrilled to be able to better serve the communities that rely on our markets and programs with this donation from the Schattner Foundation,” says Nick Stavely, Director of Food Access at FRESHFARM. “FreshMatch is proven to help more folks eat healthy for less while also generating significant, impactful revenue for small local farms. This investment in the regional food system centers customer choice, dignity, and security for everyone.”

For more information on FreshMatch or to find a participating market, visit www.freshfarm.org/freshmatch.