An important food access program helping low-income families in Western Nevada County is facing a funding transition, as a critical grant program comes to an end, with future funding uncertain.
Since its founding nearly 30 years ago, Mountain Bounty Farm, an organic farm in Nevada County, has worked to make locally grown produce accessible to people across all income levels. The farm distributes vegetables through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and also donates large quantities of produce to local food assistance organizations.
Each year, Mountain Bounty Farm contributes significant amounts of their fresh, organic produce to groups such as the Interfaith Food Ministry, the Food Bank of Nevada County, and the North San Juan Community Center, among others.
Mountain Bounty Farm also accepts government nutrition assistance benefits. In 2019, the farm completed the certification process to begin accepting EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), allowing families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, to use those funds to purchase CSA shares. This year the farm plans to expand accessibility further by becoming certified to accept WIC benefits for produce sold at the Nevada City Farmers Market.
Market Match Program Proven to Expand Local Access
Since September, an additional layer of support has been provided through the “Market Match” program, administered locally by Sierra Harvest. Market Match is a statewide nutrition incentive program that helps stretch the value of EBT benefits by matching them with additional funds that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables from local farmers, promoting healthy eating and nutrition.
Through this program, eligible CSA members receiving EBT have been able to receive 50% off their weekly vegetable boxes from Mountain Bounty Farm.
The program has had a significant impact in a short time. Participation among EBT members in the farm’s CSA grew from eight households in September to twenty-five households today, reflecting growing demand for affordable access to fresh, locally grown food.
However, the temporary grant funding that made the program possible expired at the end of February. Future funding of this program is uncertain – the proposed state budget eliminates funding for this Market Match food assistance.
Community Support Steps In
The importance of this assistance became especially clear late last year when EBT benefits were briefly frozen due to administrative delays and politics. During that time, Mountain Bounty supporters contributed donations to ensure participating households could continue receiving their weekly produce boxes.
Remaining funds from those donations are currently helping extend the 50% subsidy for EBT members, but the farm reports that those funds are expected to run out in the coming months. On average, providing the subsidy costs approximately $450 per week for EBT members, along with an additional $150 per week in general financial aid for other CSA members who request assistance.
A Community-Supported Solution
In response to this possibility of a doubling of food costs for their EBT members, Mountain Bounty Farm has created a new initiative designed to allow community members to collectively sustain the program through small recurring contributions. The farm estimates that if 120 community members contribute $5 per week to its Community Supported Financial Assistance Fund, it would generate enough funding to continue subsidizing produce boxes for households in need and potentially expand the program as demand grows.
The model reflects two cooperative philosophies behind community-supported agriculture, as well as farming itself: “many hands make light work” and “Neighbors feed neighbors”.
Participants in the program say the support has made a meaningful difference in their ability to access healthy food. One recipient of the financial assistance program shared the following message of gratitude:
“Because of your help I was still able to receive the shares of vegetables when my government assistance was not available. I was scared about what was going to happen and how I was going to afford to eat without the EBT benefit… your support has given me hope I will be ok.
Folks like all of you are essential to life itself. You give me hope and inspire me.”
How the Public Can Help
Community members interested in supporting this community effort can contribute to the Mountain Bounty Farm Community Supported Financial Assistance Fund through the farm’s online storefront at www.mountainbountyfarm.com, or by contacting the farm directly at info@mountainbountyfarm.com or (530) 292-3776. Even small weekly contributions can make a meaningful difference in sustaining access to fresh, locally grown food for families in the community.
Individuals can also support the broader effort by contacting their elected representatives and urging them to restore Market Match funding in the state budget and move toward making the program permanent.