Photo courtesy of Leigh Savary

A COVID-19 Prepared Market with a $50 SNAP Match

The Union Square Farmers Market has  returned to Union Square Plaza in Somerville on Saturdays  from 9am-1pm.

Since 2005, the Union Square Farmers Market has helped shoppers fill their homes with top-quality, fresh, local food while serving as a catalyst for vibrancy, economic activity, and neighborhood connection. And then came COVID-19.

Thanks to the City of Somerville’s support to ensure a safe environment, the market is back but with a different feel. Starting this Saturday, you can pick up fresh foods from local farmers, but the usual emphasis on friendly gathering has shifted to an emphasis on friendly safety.

Shoppers are asked to keep it clean and keep it quick by making selections as efficiently as possible, maintaining social distancing, and following public health mandates.

“Open air access to local, fresh, nutrient-dense foods has never been more important,” said Jessica Eshleman executive director of Union Square Main Streets, the nonprofit who produces the market. “To a lot of people, it matters a lot that we continue this essential community resource, but as always, the safety of our neighbors, shoppers, staff, volunteers, and vendors remain top priority.”

To underscore necessary changes this season, Union Square Main Streets is asking customers to pre-order from vendors, reserve a shopping timeslot, and take their Farmers Market Shopper Pledge.

The market is a destination for award-winning chefs, scores of neighbors near and far, and customers vulnerable to food insecurity, making it a deep source of community pride. The market is also a critical marketplace for ~25 local farms and food producers including Somerville businesses such as Tasting Counter, Deano’s Pasta, and Hooked Fish Shop. These elements in particular resonate with the 2020 Union Square Farmers Market Season Sponsor, Boynton–Yards, a DLJ and Leggat McCall Project.

“The Union Square Farmers Market is yet another tremendous service for the residents of Somerville during this unusual time, and the Boynton Yards team is humbled to partner with them in this effort,” said John Fenton of DLJ. “The perseverance of Union Square Main Streets to move forward with the market in a timely and responsible manner speaks volumes about their work and commitment to the City of Somerville.”

Knowing that hardworking people have lost an alarming number of jobs because of COVID-19, Union Square Main Streets was quick to pursue additional funding for its SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Match. A match has been available since 2005, but organizers knew keeping pace with growing demand at a time when health, nutrition, and strong immune systems are more important than ever would be challenging, but critical.

Through June, SNAP customers are now eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match up to $50 per market thanks to a grant from the Somerville Jobs Creation and Retention Trust. This 400% increase to the original match (up to $10 per market) means a shopper who swipes their EBT/SNAP card will have up to $100 per market to spend on healthy foods sourced from local food producers at markets occurring May 23 through June 27.

While emphasis has shifted from gathering to safety, the intrinsic link between the Union Square Farmers Market and Somerville’s local economy has not. Shoppers should share pride supporting independent food producers in convenient proximity to nearby Union Square businesses that are open during COVID-19.

The Union Square Farmers Market is made possible thanks to generous support from Boynton–Yards, a DLJ and Leggat McCall Project, its 2020 Season Sponsor; the Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust; Eversource; and donors who contribute to help make the SNAP Match possible.

More information is available at www.unionsquaremain.org.