Current Press Releases
It’s a new year, so it may seem as if there are few Press Releases available, but don’t worry, many of the recent Press Releases can be found in the 2009 archive. Click here or ’2009′ in the ‘Press Release Archives’ to view the 2009 archive.
November
AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MARIN’S MARKET MATCH PROGRAM OFFERS DOUBLE VALUE FOR FOOD STAMPS AT MARIN FARMERS MARKETS — Nov. 21, 2011
SAN RAFAEL, CA, November 21, 2011 – Marin County is not immune to the impact of the hard-hitting economic downturn and an increasing number of Marin residents are finding it difficult to feed their families. Over 13,000 people in Marin are estimated to be food insecure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods. In September 2011 over 8,000 people in Marin were enrolled in CalFresh, the federally funded food stamp program known nationally as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This represents a 79% increase since September 2006 (reported by California Food Policy Advocates).
As a partner in promoting healthy and local food consumption for the entire Marin community, Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) is actively working to increase access to and affordability of fresh, locally grown food by making AIM’s certified farmers markets a welcome place for Marin County residents using CalFresh. AIM began accepting food stamps at its certified farmers markets in 2008 and expanded shortly after with support from a two-year grant from the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program. CalFresh is now accepted at all of AIM’s eight Bay Area certified farmers’ markets. Shoppers have their EBT card processed at the Information Tent at each market, and receive wooden tokens. These tokens can be used throughout the market to purchase breads and cereals; fruits and vegetables; meats, fish, poultry and dairy products; as well as seeds and plants that produce food for the household. (Unallowed items include: hot, prepared foods and any non-food items). While CalFresh is accepted at many retailers, produce at the farmers market is often less expensive and more nutritious because consumers buy directly from farmers. Many farmers in the markets also accept WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Senior Farmers Market vouchers directly.
AIM’s newest program to increase access to fresh, local and nutritious food is Market Match, which began this Fall at AIM’s farmers markets located in Marin. Made possible with support from Marin Community Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, Market Match essentially doubles the value of CalFresh benefits, providing a match of up to $20 per market day for shoppers using EBT cards. For example, when a customer uses $20 from their EBT card, they will receive $40 worth of tokens to purchase allowed items throughout the market.
Jessica Zwolinski of Novato shops every week at the Marin Farmers Market at the Civic Center, using CalFresh EBT to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and meat. “This is a great program that allows me to get even more fresh nutritious food for my 3 year old son”, says Zwolinski. “I like to sneak in sweet potatoes, kale and other vegetables into his meals”. Zwolinski has been shopping at the farmers market consistently for a little over a year and says, “Prices really are better here, especially for things that are in season”. With the extra $20 match, fresh local food is accessible. “This is a total help and blessing to me”.
Market Match is available at the following AIM certified farmers markets: Marin Farmers Markets at the Civic Center (Thursdays and Sundays from 8 am – 1 pm, year-round), Novato Farmers Market (Tuesday from 4-8 pm, May through September), and Fairfax Farmers Market (Wednesday from 4-8 pm, May through September). AIM is currently looking for funders/partners to expand the double value program into its other markets in the Bay Area, including AIM farmers markets in Alameda County and San Francisco, where the need is great.
“Our goal with Market Match is to encourage more people to shop at farmers markets, increase revenue for farmers and producers, and to increase access to fresh, healthy and nutritious food for everyone in our community”, said Leah Smith, Agricultural Institute of Marin’s Director of Programs.
The Market Match program will run through November 2012 or until funds have been used
May
MARIN’s “PLASTIC BAG – FREE” FAIRFAX FARMERS MARKET OPENS MAY 4th — May 4, 2011
FAIRFAX, APRIL 27th, 2009 –The Fairfax Farmers Market will open for the 2011 season on Wednesday, May 4th under the redwoods of Bolinas Park. The market will run 4 pm-8 pm through the end of September. Agricultural Instititute of Marin (AIM) the organizer of this market (formerly known as Marin Farmers Market) appreciates the can-do spirit of the Fairfax community and its keen support for local farmers.
Farmers returning to the market include Marin’s very own Paradise Valley Produce with vibrant organic veggies, Laguna Farm also with vegetables from the Marin/Sonoma border, and Sartori Farm sweeter-than-pie organic strawberries (you can also find them in the form of strawberry ice-cream around the corner at the Fairfax Scoop). Fabulous farmers also in the market this year will include Kashiwase Farms with mouth dripping all organic peaches, nectarines and plums; Balakian Farms with organic heirloom tomatoes and summer squash – don’t forget to try their tomatillos – and Ortiz Brothers Farms with Sonoma grown flowers and veggies! Too many to name them all, the market will bustle with great fresh-produce from fabulous farmers.
New vendors this year will include Wild West Ferments bringing the Town of Fairfax the highest quality locally grown and produced fermented vegetables and fruit drinks. Try their delicious sauerkraut with a hint of cumin or their strawberry bubbly made with Sartori strawberries and water. S.F. Pops will be bringing seasonal delicious fruit popsicles. Keep on the lookout for chocolate avocado or pummelo mint! Edge Works will be attending to sharpen those dull knives you have laying around the kitchen.
Returning to the market this year are favorites Brittany Crepes , both savory and sweet. They even have gluten free buckwheat batter. Café Zambala returns with their tasty Tibetan lentils and mango lassies and Easy Living Foods with their selection of raw power foods like their cashew carrot dip. This year they will satisfy the sweet side with raw desserts! Of course we will also have East and West Gourmet with their famous Bolani flatbreads stuffed with spinach, pumpkin, or lentils as well as Fat Angel Bakery and Delicieux/Fairfax Baker, two more scrumptions locals.
Even with its unique collection of 25 local farmers, food purveyors, and artisans, another notable feature, like the last two years, is what you will not find at the Fairfax Farmers Market is single use plastic bags. Farmers and food purveyors will be providing paper and compostable bags in place of plastic bags – however we recognize that the goal is for market shoppers to remember to bring their own bags (B.Y.O.B.). While paper and compostable bags offer alternatives to plastic bags, they are still single-use bags, and therefore use valuable resources. So, remember to bring you own bag, basket, backpack or creative carry-along.
Matt Toy, Fairfax Farmers Markets proud market manager believes “the Fairfax Farmers Market is truly reflective of the Fairfax community. The fact that market booths are nestled in between towering redwoods rather than in straight lines embodies Fairfax’s “think outside the box” spirit. Fairfax leads the way on so many issues. Join me in supporting the best of local food and farms by shopping the Fairfax Farmers Market every Wednesday.”
Agricultural Institute of Marin is a 501(c)3 non-profit which runs 8 farmers markets in the Bay Area. For 28 years AIM has been bringing farmers and communities together to create healthy viable local food systems. For more information please visit www.agriculturalinstitute.org
NOVATO FARMERS MARKET SPRINGS OPEN TUESDAY, MAY 3th — May 3, 2011
NOVATO, CA (APRIL 25th) –The Novato Farmers Market will open for the 2011 season on Tuesday, May 3th on Grant Ave. The market will run 4 pm-8 pm through the end of September. Entering its 22nd season, the Novato Farmers Market continues the tradition of providing a vibrant community gathering place for Novato residents to come together to celebrate fresh and local food.
Over the course of the season, 50 farmers and food purveyors, and 15 different artisans will visit Grant Ave. Meet one of the closest growers to this market, returning for their second year with organic vegetables, plant starts and flowers Indian Valley Farm and Garden, enjoy organic fruits and vegetables from Splendor Salad, and delight in local sweet honey from Marshall’s Farm.
A core community of celebrated regulars will be returning for the 2011 season, including Novato locals Woodside Farms, Flour Chylde Bakery, and Kettle Thai. Frickles, a new Novato business addition, offers a unique product that customers will be curious to try: fried pickles, organic okra and green tomatoes, and apple slices. You’ll be pleased to know that Frickles’ owner gives his used frying oil to a friend of his who runs his car on biodiesel made afterward. Now that’s recycling!
Farmers Market Manager Chris Blackburn notes that “the success of these local businesses is a testament to the market’s role in incubating small local businesses. I’ve focused on bringing local people into the mix to give the market a unique Novato flair. It makes the market feel like a true community gathering place.”
Novato will also welcome Tara Firma Farm, located in Petaluma, who will bring their new products Organic beef, pork, and organic free-range eggs. Blackburn is also pleased to welcome some fresh new tastes to the market including La Saison from Napa, Mission Fish, as well as beautiful flowers from Crane Creek. The market is a fantastic forum for live music from local artists, each week you’ll find a new local musician jamming the night away, including many local school groups. Jubilee Jumps, Victoria Fashion Stables pony rides and balloon and face painting by Silly Lilly also add to the ambiance of the market. The market will also welcome local community groups such as Novato Parks and Recreation, Downtown Novato Business Association, and Master Gardeners.
Blackburn, in his second-year managing the market, has been anticipating the market for weeks: “I’m most looking forward to the unique atmostphere that the charming downtown of Novato brings to the farmers market experience. The market has a magical way of bringing folks together to celebrate good company and good food. It brings a lot of life to the City of Novato, and I’m simply thrilled to be a part of it.”
Agricultural Institute of Marin is a 501(c)3 non-profit which runs 8 farmers markets in the Bay Area. For 28 years AIM has been bringing farmers and communities together to create healthy viable local food systems. For more information please visit www.agriculturalinstitute.org