Farmers Market Promotion: Nutrition Education and Outreach

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

San Bernardino County (SBC) Department of Public Health (DPH) Nutrition and Wellness Services is dedicated to improving the lives of county residents through education and promoting food resource management/budgeting, healthy eating and physical activity. As part of CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL), Nutrition and Wellness Services focuses on preventing chronic diseases and improving food security. Choosing to consume fruits, vegetables and water/healthy beverages, and engaging in physical activity reduces risk of obesity-related diseases and improves wellness. Programs that increase affordability of these foods result in equitable access. Nutrition and Wellness Services has partnered with five local farmers markets and seven organizations to support farmers market services and increase access to healthy foods for low-income families and individuals. Nutrition and Wellness Services participates in farmers markets and community events to promote Market Match, wherein shoppers use CalFresh benefits at participating farmers markets and receive a matching dollar amount to spend on produce. Staff provide bilingual nutrition education to the community through food demonstrations, taste-tests, messaging and resources. Farmers markets and Market Match are also promoted through social media. As a result, SBC experienced an increase in farmers market customers, Market Match participation and equity among low-income families and individuals.