Mid-Missouri Central Bank President David Minton awarded the Capital City Farmers Market a $500 check Friday in support of the market's MATCH program for recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
"This is really a win-win-win for the farmers, the market and the community," Minton said. "We're ecstatic about helping anybody help other people."
In May, the downtown-based farmers market began accepting EBT payments, benefits issued through SNAP, and benefits issued through the Cole County Health Department for members enrolled in the Women Infants and Children program.
The market also offers these customers an opportunity to have their payments matched through their Double Up Bucks program, increasing their spending power in the market.
For example, if a customer using federal assistance benefits spends $10, the market will match those funds dollar for dollar.
CCFM board member Diana Duncan accepted the check on behalf of the market. Duncan said she was thrilled to have Central Bank as a partner.
Duncan said she found WIC recipients thought they might not be able to afford to shop at a farmers market, but this program allows them to participate and support farmers.
Minton said he will challenge Central Bank employees to sponsor the MATCH program every week or every month to help make the program more sustainable.
"Personally, I'm a big believer of farmers markets. I think it's a great way to feed our population, especially those who would not usually have access to fresh produce," Minton said. "It gets folks eating more healthy, including those who may not have been able to as easily."
Jones Beltone, River City Florist, Capital Region Healthy Schools Healthy Communities and local family medicine physician Dr. Greggory Kuhlman have also sponsored the market's MATCH program.
"This will cover us for the season, but it doesn't stop there," Duncan said.
"We want to continue building these relationships so we will be able to continue to offer it when we move to an indoor location."
Duncan, along with other board members and community partners, are in the process of lining up funds to potentially move the farmers market into the Blattner Building at 704 Madison St. next fall.
In addition, the market will place a billboard on westbound U.S. 50 toward Capital Mall on July 17, reminding travelers the market is open from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays.
Ashley Varner, healthy schools healthy communities coordinator, said she is grateful for Central Bank's contribution.
"As we continue to grow and work to bring a year-round farmers market to our community it's wonderful to be able to include low-income recipients - those who are in some of the highest need - in our community to really be supported by our community."