Fresh produce may soon be available to a wider range of people in State College.
The Boalsburg farmers market is set to receive a $28,171 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and one benefit is that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will be allowed to use their food stamps at the market.
This is unprecedented in Centre County, as no farmer’s market in the county has accepted food stamps before. According to market co-manager Tony Sapia, the market’s goal is to increase the consumption of local produce from local buyers.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community,” Sapia says. “It’s bringing local produce one step closer to the people who need it.”
Not only does the market hope the grant makes produce easier for anyone to purchase, supporters also believe it will raise awareness about healthy eating for children.
And while the market has always provided local elementary schools with presentations on eating healthy that include a $5 voucher for students to use at the market, it will now be offering those same services to middle school students.
Additionally, the market will be able to increase its annual cooking demonstrations from four to eight next year.
“Now that we’re doing eight demonstrations, we’re going to be able to expand the market and the people we reach,” Sapia says.
Overall, the market’s goal over the next year is to increase the produce sales enough that other farmers’ markets in Centre County are given the same opportunity.
Currently, the local chapter of Buy Fresh Buy local is planning to apply for a similar grant after watching to see how well the Boalsburg Farmers Market does over the next year.
Sapia also says they hope to partner with the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture to help other local farmers markets earn grants and increase communication between markets.
Since the Boalsburg Farmers Market was just awarded the grant after submitting the application in March, it may take time for other markets to be awarded similar money.
“This is something we’ve wanted to do for a few years,” Sapia says. “It’s takes time and it takes great people and it takes great vendors. It’s more than just putting something on a piece of paper and submitting it. You really have to have your ‘T’s crossed and your ‘I’s dotted.”
Before the grant becomes active, the market needs to hire a grant administrator, a SNAPS benefits coordinator and a publicity director.
According to Sapia, the group is currently choosing a grant administrator and will then hire people for the other positions.
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