Farmers' Markets (in Five Languages)

When we talk about building a food system by and for the community we mean that literally.

At our new farmers’ markets, all of the farmers and staff there live in Springfield or West Springfield, and speak at least one language other than English.

The impact has been enormous. The vendors know the needs of their communities intimately, selling cultural crops that are in demand and in a setting comfortable to their communities. Farmers and staff were able to introduce new communities to the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which reimburses SNAP recipients for fresh fruits and vegetables purchased at some farms and farmers’ markets.

Over 90% of sales at the markets were through SNAP & HIP.

We are grateful for the individuals and organizations who lobbied to open the HIP program with a racial equity lens—these markets, and their impact, would not have been possible without our combined efforts. Thank you!