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- Author: Consuelo Cid
- Contributor: Evelyn Morales
- Editor: Emily Harris
Do you find shopping at a Farmers Market too intimidating? Need help getting started?
Have no fear!
UC CalFresh and Pete, the MyPlate Superhero, will help you get started!
Why shop at a Farmers Market?
Farmers Markets support our farmers and our local economy while increasing our access to fresh, nutritious, and locally grown fruits and vegetables!
How can I stretch my food-buying dollars when shopping at a local Farmers Market?
~~ Market Match ~~
Market Match is California's healthy food incentive program that will match your CalFresh dollars up to $10 when you purchase fruits and vegetables! That means your $10 CalFresh EBT budget, for fruits and vegetables, can double up to $20. That's more money for delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables!
Look for the Market Match tent at select Farmers Markets to get started!
Want to buy non-fruit and non-vegetable products using your CalFresh EBT card? No problem! Select Farmers Markets will also allow you to use your CalFresh EBT and WIC benefits to buy food. Click here to find a Market near you and find out what Market Match incentives they offer!
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Pete, the MyPlate Superhero, is happy to hear that Californians can make healthy choices at Farmers Markets near them. Let's follow Pete as he navigates his first Farmers Market: The Market on Kern.
Pete can't help but be excited. Just look as he takes flight!
Pete's first stop is the Market Match tent. He wants to make the most out of his food dollars. Shopping smart is how Pete likes to roll.
It looks like kale has caught Pete's attention. Kale is an excellent source of Vitamin A and C, and a good source of calcium and dietary fiber.
Is there anything better than ripe fruits? Pete suggests having a sweet and juicy fruit as a snack or dessert! Yum!
Pete knows tomatoes can be confusing: are they a fruit or a vegetable? Pete notes that they are a vegetable on MyPlate, and so good for you! Try adding this delicious vegetable in your everyday meals and let us know how it goes. Pete would love to hear all about it!
Pete loves to share his knowledge about MyPlate. Pete reminds Nutrition Coordinator, Evelyn Morales, about the importance of making fruits and vegetables half your plate!
Come visit the Market on Kern, open every Wednesday, 9am to 2pm, now through October.
Summer is a great time to explore your local Farmers Market. Who knows, you may run into Pete!
Visit the Ecology Center for a Farmers Market near you.
Happy Shopping!
-Pete, the MyPlate Superhero
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