New Orleans Neighborhoods Partnership Network

July 30th 2010

Crescent City Farmers Market Program "MarketMatch" Matches Food Stamp Shoppers Up to $25 per Market Visit

Crescent City Farmers Markets Match up to $25 in Food Stamp Purchases per Market Visit

Baskets of peak-season Creole tomatoes and tender okra aren’t the only sweet deal at the three weekly Crescent City Farmers Markets (CCFM) right now. Marketumbrella.org is once again matching SNAP (food stamp) purchases up to $25 per market visit at all CCFM locations, while supplies last, through its MarketMatch program.

During marketumbrella.org’s Summer 2009 MarketMatch pilot, $10,000 in SNAP purchases were matched, resulting in a 600% increase in SNAP sales during the pilot and a 300% residual increase. The 2010 MarketMatch program is made possible by generous support from the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Community IMPACT Program and the National Rural Funders Collaborative. Marketumbrella.org is the sponsoring non-profit for the CCFM, the first farmers market in the Deep South to overcome the food stamp digital divide back in 2005.

For more information, please visit: http://www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org

October 27th 2009

Apply now to the Crescent Fund, Cycle 3

Through the support of our market community, we have created a pool of funds for social investment called the Crescent Fund. Each season (or cycle), the Crescent Fund entertains proposals to fund projects that benefit vendors, shoppers and/or the community. Projects are voted on and 3 cash investments are dispersed each cycle for up to $500. These cash infusions are returned to the market within 6 months through time, talent or treasure.

application deadline: November 6, 2009
voting period: November 11-17, 2009
cash infusion announced: November 23, 2009

For more information or to download an application, visit:
http://www.marketumbrella.org/index.php?page=crescent-fund