Eating fresh fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet provides many benefits vital for the health and maintenance of the body. California’s Market Match incentive program allows low income shoppers to make healthy food choices by making fresh, locally grown produce at farmers markets affordable. In 2016, Market Match was offered at 260 sites by 37 community based organizations throughout the state.

Through the Market Match program, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in partnership with Old Town Newhall Farmers Market and Hunger Action L.A. has donated $5,000 to the program to benefit local, low income residents.

“We want people in our valley to be able to get fresh fruits and vegetables weekly and with this program they can double their buying power,” said Greta Dunlap, Market Manager in Newhall. “Henry Mayo’s donation will make it easier to get fruits and vegetables into the diets of young children and seniors.”

Under the Market Match program, those who receive federal and state nutrition benefits such as CalFresh, WIC, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability) benefits are eligible to receive vouchers that double their buying power (up to $10 every Saturday). Low income recipients of Social Security retirement benefits also qualify. Fruit and Vegetable Checks (FVC) are also accepted.

“This is a very popular program and we’re already at capacity so we are very grateful for Henry Mayo’s donation,” said Frank Tamborello, Executive Director of Hunger Action L.A. “This will allow us to ramp up the program and get the right kind of food to people who need it most like kids and seniors in the Newhall area.”

Shoppers who wish to participate can sign up at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market held on Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 24500 Main Street (library parking lot), Newhall, CA 91321. Bring CalFresh (EBT) card, SSI award letter or WIC folder. To learn if you qualify for CalFresh or WIC, representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) and the WIC program will be at the Market on Saturday, May 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To learn more, call 661-799-3693 or visit www.henrymayo.com.