Funds for Fresh Match

Project Description: Create fundraisers to contribute to the The Fresh Match Program. Fresh Match is a collaboration by Farmers on the Square and Project SHARE, which matches nutrition benefits from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), SFMNP (Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program) and WICs FMNP (Women, Infants and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program) recipients. Those eligible can get up to an additional $20 per week to spend at the Farmers on the Square Market by using Fresh Match.

Importance: Here in Carlisle, the northwest sector is characterized as a food desert, meaning there are no grocery stores within a mile and people typically do not have access to cars. The Farmers on the Square Market is within walking distance of this area, making this the perfect opportunity to increase access to fresh, nutritious and local foods to people who may not normally access them. People living in low-income areas, with limited access to transportation and hectic schedules, are disproportionately affected by diet-related diseases because of reliance on highly processed foods, thus making this a public health problem.

The 30+ vendors at Farmers on the Square come from within 50 miles of the market. The produce, meat, bread and other goods sold at the market are higher in nutritional value, have a longer shelf life, and are more flavorful than those found in grocery stores because they are locally produced. The program affords Fresh Match recipients the agency to make their own food choices while integrated in a mainstream, positive and influential environment. Local farmers, producers and community entrepreneurs benefit from this program as well.

Project Goal: Raise $2,500 to donate to Fresh Match - the Fresh Match Program aims to raise $15,000 total per season.

Project Members: myself, Kailey Zengo, Natalie Cassidy and Carrie Gillespie

Fundraising Activities: Met with Sherron Biddle, who is a member of the Fresh Match Board, to discuss needs of the program and our fundraising ideas. She provided us with support, information and updates.

Valentine's Day Cards - sold handmade Valentine's Day Cards around campus - $48
Flex Points - a program through Dickinson which allows students to donate meal points to be transferred to an organization of their choosing (we did this for Fresh Match) - $2,000
Mason Jar Cookie Mix - made dry cookie mix and sold on campus to peers, faculty and staff - $500

Success: Our group successful raised $2,550 dollars for the Fresh Match Program. At this point in time, community donations total $7288 and were matched to be about 25% for an additional $1805.45, for a grand total of $9093.45. In addition, the program received two grants for a total of $4500. Currently, the Fresh Match Program has about $13,600 in funds for the 2018 season.

Kelsey Horowitz