A significant profit for CalFresh recipients could also be on the chopping block this month because the governor and Legislature proceed their remaining price range negotiations, studies CalMatters’ politics and California Divide intern Rya Jetha. Often known as Market Match, this system connects CalFresh individuals with native farmers by doubling their advantages on vegatables and fruits at farmers markets.
Final yr, this system offered CalFresh buyers with 38 million servings of vegatables and fruits and accounted for $19.5 million in spending at farmers markets throughout the state. A Stockton farmer Rya spoke to mentioned about $50,000 — almost a fourth of his earnings each season — comes from CalFresh prospects and Market Match. And one CalFresh beneficiary informed Rya that her household depends on Market Match to eat recent produce frequently.
- Mitzi Castillo, a Fairfield resident and mom of two: “We already spend $200 on meat and cheese at Costco. If I didn’t have Market Match, they must wait ’til subsequent week to eat fruits and veggies when my husband will get paid.”
When legislative Democrats permitted their spending proposal on Thursday, they included $35 million for the California Vitamin Incentive Program, which funds Market Match. However there’s no assure that these {dollars} will make it to the ultimate price range, wherein case this system must return to counting on philanthropic fundraising. If that have been to occur, Market Match might both be dramatically diminished or finish altogether.
Meeting Funds Committee Chairperson and San Francisco Democrat Phil Ting authored the 2015 legislation that established the motivation program, and declined to remark about its present price range standing. He informed CalMatters that he’s “fearful” and is “preventing” to make sure that this system is a part of the ultimate price range.
