‘It’s on us’: Bay Area farmers markets step up to help SNAP recipients get food

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KGO) — The Bay Area is stepping up to help those who are facing food insecurity. Sunday farmer’s markets are mobilizing to assist families whose SNAP benefits have run dry.

Hundreds were shopping at the Marin Civic Center’s Sunday farmer’s market. This week, the need for food has never been greater, as SNAP benefits run out for thousands.

“We’re here to help, we have enough so we should share what we can,” said Alex Tishman.

Tishman, owner of Fire Swamp Provisions, is offering his fresh baked goods to any family in need.

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“It’s on us, it’s an honor system. Just tell us how many people you need to feed, we’ll give you whatever we can,” Tishman said.

Straus Family Creamery is also stepping up.

“Straus has decided to offer 50% off on all of our products to our EBT and SNAP customers, they just need to show their card,” said Wendy Booth from Straus.

Agricultural Institute of Marin, a nonprofit which operates nine certified farmers markets across the Bay Area, has established an emergency fund to help more than 1,200 households get free produce from its market vendors.

Enchandra Johnson from Novato is stressed about her family’s benefits running out, but she appreciates the community’s help.

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“It’s a two-way street, it’s a two-way street, we all have to support one another,” said Johnson.

Marin County Supervisors are set to vote next week on approving $800,000 in emergency funding, to help local food banks get the supplies they need to support families in crisis.

“There are thousands who are in need, yes when all this gets sorted out at the federal level, those funds will get replenished to holders but money in the future is not going to help, where’s my next meal coming from today or tomorrow,” said Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan.

And Contra Costa County leaders could vote Tuesday to declare a local state of emergency, to help allocate $20 million in reserve funds for purchasing grocery debit cards to help more than 100,000 SNAP recipients buy food.

“They would pick them up at our social service offices throughout the county and use them to continue shopping and feeding their families,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia.