More than 50 businesses help to sustain a more inclusive farmers market

[Somerville, MA, August 26, 2019] Food insecurity is real in Somerville: 9.5% of residents rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and more than 50% of Somerville Public School students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

In partnership with more than 50 businesses, Union Square Main Streets’s Good Food for All campaign has raised more than $6,000 to fund the local SNAP match at the Union Square Farmers Market. As a result, each Saturday through November 23, SNAP customers will receive a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $10, for healthy, fresh, local food at the Market.

“It’s been truly amazing to see so many like-minded businesses working together to help ensure that everyone in our community has a place at the table. We do our best to make sure no family gets left behind, and we’re getting better every year!” said Shane Clyburn of In Season Food Shop, “This is what makes Union Square such a wonderful and vibrant place to live.”

Since 2005, Union Square Main Streets has provided nearly $20,000 matching SNAP-payments to help hundreds of our neighbors double their buying power for locally-grown food.

“Preserving the character of our neighborhood is an integral part of our mission,” said Jessica Eshleman, executive director of Union Square Main Streets. “For us, this means investing in the local businesses and people who make Union Square such a dynamic neighborhood. Because of the success of this year’s campaign and the generosity of participating businesses, we are able to provide SNAP matches for up to 600 families.”

To redeem the match, SNAP customers visit the Market Lead Tent located in the center of the market where they swipe their EBT card for the desired match amount. Customers then receive tokens that can be used like cash at 30+ SNAP eligible vendors. Interpreters trained through The Welcome Project’s LIPS program are available to assist customers.

Participating Businesses include:
346 Somerville Ave Development Team
4GoodVibes
Aeronaut Brewing Company
Assawaga Farm
The Barber’s Den
Bell & Goose Cheese Company
Bharat Babies
Boston Smoked Fish
Bounce Management
Brass Union
BRONWYN Restaurant
Brookford Farm
Cantina La Mexicana
Casa B Restaurant and Cocktail & Rum bar
celeste
Centrepoint Architects
Drumlin Farm
El Potro Mexican Grill
Elliot’s House Pet Care & More
EM & ADE
EventThem
Field & Vine
Fivefork Farms
Freedom Food Farm
Gracie’s Ice Cream
Hooked Fish Shop
Hutchins Farm
Iggy’s Bread
In Season Food Shop
The Independent
JJ Sullivan Plumbing and Heating
Juliet
The Jungle Community Music Club
Liberty Cannabis
Luluna Health
Masala Square
Mindful Eating
Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery
NU Kitchen
Off The Beaten Path Food Tours
Play Union
Reliable Market
Remnant Brewing
Samira’s Homemade
Somerville Chocolate
Somerville Grooves
Tango Society of Boston, The Dance Union
Tasting Counter
Taza Chocolate
Tex Mex Eats
Union Square Beer and Wine
Union Square Main Streets
Warehouse XI

About Union Square Main Streets, Inc.:
Union Square Main Streets works collaboratively to actively support a vibrant neighborhood by preserving the character and advancing the economic strength of the Union Square business district and community. By highlighting the artistic and ethnic strengths of the neighborhood, we seek to drive commercial and economic development. We celebrate food – local and international, our own eclectic creative sensibilities, and the dense, unique fabric of our New England square that blossomed before there was such a thing as smart growth. More information is available at http://www.unionsquaremain.org