CLEARLAKE, Calif. – As the summer growing season peaks in Lake County, more local producers are offering fresh products at the Friday Night Farmers' Market in Clearlake and more local residents are able to purchase these products now that producers can accept EBT (food stamps) cards.
Farmer Ashley Hathaway grows in Clearlake and showcases a wide variety of herbs and vegetables including arugula, beets, cucumbers and tomatoes.
The market goers also will get to sample a wide variety of tomato types, including striped zebra, as well as carrots and potatoes from Pulver Farm of Hidden Valley.
Added to the other regional farmers, shoppers can do all of their fresh fruit and vegetable shopping from local and regional growers.
Not only do shoppers at farmers' markets get fresher and tastier produce, but shopping local is also a proven way to support the local economy.
According to Jennifer Brown, ACSW, who facilitates the EBT program for the market, the process is quite simple.
“People with EBT cards can come to the market and decide how much they would like to spend with the vendors,” Brown said. “We swipe their card for that amount and give them tokens equaling the same amount. They are free to shop with those vendors that sell Food Stamp eligible products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, and value added products like jams, pickles, breads and other bakery items. The producers then redeem the tokens and are reimbursed by check.”
Currently, the Friday Night Farmers' Market is the only farmers' market in Lake County that accepts EBT cards.
The market, located at Redbud Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, also includes prepared food, pickles, jams, honey and eggs, as well as local arts and crafts and live music.
For more information on the market, including a schedule of musical artists, go to www.lakeco-op.org and click on the calendar of events or call Market Manager Pharalee Travis at 707-637-2870.
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