Sisters Farmers Market to provide food aid

The Sisters Farmers Market, managed by the Sisters-based nonprofit organization, Seed to Table, is helping to ensure the Sisters community has access to essential, local, artisanal and nutritious goods.

Thanks to The Roundhouse Foundation, the Market has launched a COVID-19 Food Aid Program to begin on the market’s opening day of June 7. Individuals who apply and are accepted into the program will be eligible to receive between 25 and 75 percent off of essential foods at the Seed to Table produce booth at the Farmers Market. Individuals can apply at www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

As the market has transitioned under the management of Seed to Table, it has opened up new opportunities to expand its service to our community.

SFM Market Manager, Caroline Hager said, “Farmers markets present an amazing opportunity for connecting a diversity of individuals to one common access point of essential goods, all harvested and curated within one’s own county.”

The market is also striving to ensure outside funding and government programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women-Infants-Children and Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP), are accepted. The Sisters Farmers Market is working on integrating these programs into the market this season in the hopes that, between these options and the Seed to Table COVID-19 Food Aid Program, no person or family will be left out from having fresh, locally-sourced, healthy meals all season long.

The COVID-19 Food Aid Program is a sliding scale aid program according to individual’s request and available funding.

There are many local families who may not necessarily feel they need to utilize the food banks.

Nonetheless, they may have been hit hard financially and could benefit greatly from assistance.

As families may be faced with financial choices, our organization does not want nutritious foods to have to be cut.

The Harvard Medical School lists eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables as the second most important strategy for boosting one’s immune system.

This is a time when we need these foods the most! In addition, a trip outside of Sisters is another stressor as it bears another expense and now incorporates elements of exposure.

The Sisters Farmers Market is striving to be a local food hub while promoting an open-air, socially-distanced model for local shopping.

To learn more about programs visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.