FRESHFARM believes that fair, equitable access to healthy foods is vital to nourishing a sustainable food future. Our food access programs connect underserved communities with local foods grown by regional farmers, ensuring that fresh and local foods are accessible to all, regardless of income or background, while amplifying growers’ vital role in improving food security in our region.
FreshMatch
Our FreshMatch incentive program provides a dollar-for-dollar match on all federal benefits spent at market, helping shoppers take home more fresh and nutritious produce and local foods.
In 2021, FRESHFARM received a $1.4 million four-year USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant to create a multi-state, and multi-sector SNAP Incentive Coalition.
This SNAP Incentive Coalition will incentivize the use of nutrition benefits at more than 110 farmers markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Produce Plus
Produce Plus is funded by DC Health and administered by FRESHFARM. Produce Plus provides locally grown, fresh produce to DC residents with limited access to fresh, healthy food. Produce Plus runs from June through September.
DC Senior FMNP
To help Washington, DC, senior residents access fresh, healthy produce at farmers markets, FRESHFARM collaborates with the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) and DC Health to provide benefits to residents aged 60 or older through the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (DC Senior FMNP). Program participants receive a one-time $50 fund on a Produce Pass card to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey from participating farmers at local farmers markets.
Virginia Senior FMNP
FRESHFARM administers Virginia’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (VSFMNP), also known as Farm Market Fresh, in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. This program provides a one-time benefit of $50 in checks to income-eligible seniors to help them purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs at participating Virginia farmers markets. This program is funded by Virginia’s Office for Aging Services.
Breadcoin at FRESHFARM Markets
Breadcoin recipients can redeem their tokens with participating food businesses at select FRESHFARM locations. Breadcoin gives market shoppers access to prepared food while preserving their choice and dignity and creates new revenue streams for local businesses.
Free Summer Meals
When school lets out for the summer, children across the region are at higher risk of experiencing food insecurity having lost access to meals and snacks provided by their educational institution. FRESHFARM and CentroNía seek to bridge that gap. Free Summer Meals are available at FRESHFARM Columbia Heights Market for children aged 1 to 18 years old in July and August.
Food Recovery
Through our food recovery program, FRESHFARM works closely with our network of farmers and producers to glean tens of thousands of pounds of fresh and local food at our markets each year.