Thread by @AlchemistCDC

Yesterday, we shared a comparison of #CalFresh and #MarketMatch numbers from January - August 2021 and 2022. Now, take a look at the growth in CF/MM distribution at local #Sacramento farmers' markets since 2019! (1/11)

Let's take a moment for a history lesson: While there were concerns early in the pandemic that farmers' markets would not survive, they were declared essential services and allowed to remain open. Markets adapted quickly, adopting new safety measures, (2/11)

and many saw growth in demand as people felt more comfortable shopping for groceries outdoors where contagious spread was far less likely. As many jobs were lost and federal rules were temporarily changed to expand SNAP (CalFresh) eligibility, (3/11)

CalFresh enrollment surged. The Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program also added benefits to families with school-age children to replace missing school breakfasts and lunches. (4/11)

The availability of Market Match at farmers' markets helped stretch grocery budgets for families and drew more new customers to support California's small farmers. At Alchemist, (5/11)

the decision was made early in 2020 to pay interns who staffed our CalFresh booths for the first time. This was funded for the first year with a grant from NextGen California. As the hazard pay period for these interns came to a close, (6/11)

it was determined that we would shift permanently to utilizing paid staff (supported by incredible volunteers) for our farmers' market booths as it both improved the quality of service for CalFresh customers and aligned with our commitment to equity. (7/11)

Even as pandemic restrictions and expanded benefits have wound down, the commitment to provide consistent, high-quality CalFresh access with paid market associates has driven incredible growth in CalFresh customers at Sacramento-area farmers' markets. (8/11)

This is why we have been so proud to co-sponsor SB907 with @NextGen_Policy this year. If signed into law by @GavinNewsom, this bill would provide every California certified farmers' market with the resources needed to offer similar high-quality CalFresh access. (9/11)

This will provide California's low-income households with access to affordable, nutritious local foods; support small California farms; and stimulate local economies. Can you help us encourage the @CAgovernor to sign SB907 into law? (10/11)

Please RT this thread and take 1 minute to contact the Governor with this form: nextgenpolicy.org/sb907-email-go… (11/11)

Thank you to @DrPanMD @CASenCaballero @AsmLisaCalderon @KevinMcCartyCA @AsmKevinMcCarty for co-authoring this bill!

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