Across the parking lot\u2014a mere zucchini\u2019s throw away from the farmers market\u2014is a small food pantry and social services center called Christ\u2019s Community where around three hundred families come every month for food assistance. The close proximity of the two well-intended food providers, both working to strengthen the community in their respective ways, suggests great potential for collaboration. Diana, the powerful force behind the College Hill Farm Market, has wanted to make her market more accessible to low-income populations for years. As you might expect, it\u2019s generally more expensive than Kroger or the nearby Food Mart, so the economical decision is naturally to bypass the market en route to one of the big box stores.<\/p>\n
So while we wait for the USDA to finalize the details of SNAP equipment for the market, we have been busy trying to figure out how we can give customers using SNAP more purchasing power at the farmers market. Incentive programs known as SNAP Matching Dollars programs have proven effective in cities like Detroit and New York, and even our own Findlay Market offers \u201cSNAP Plus\u201d which doubles the money you have to spend on SNAP eligible food items at the farmers market. \u00a0With the help of College Hill\u2019s churches we hope to raise $3,000 that will be used in the form of $10 \u201cmarket money\u201d coupons. The coupons will be distributed at Christ\u2019s Community during food pantry hours, and can be redeemed at the College Hill farmers market with a purchase of any amount on an EBT card. Throughout the fundraising process we hope to spur a healthy dose of thought-provoking conversation among congregations about food access and encouraging more widespread support of Cincinnati\u2019s local food producers.<\/p>\n
The bus arrives and I enjoy a quiet ride back to my car. Round trip, the bus ride to Kroger from the heart of College hill has taken me about twenty-two minutes. Is it a grueling, impossible trip? No. The issue as I see it lies more in the fact that residents of this community are presented with food options like donuts, pizza and potato chips with much more frequency and convenience than they are with a produce section. I look forward to discovering how the College Hill Farmers Market can be transformed into a resource for the entire community.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My shoulders sag under the weight of my grocery bags. Sweat drips down my back as I peer down the highway, my eyes scanning traffic for the number 17 bus. It’s five minutes late and the afternoon sun has all but melted me and my fellow bus riders into steaming puddles on the cracked sidewalk. <\/p>\r\n![\"casey](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/caseyhenry.jpg\")
Casey Henry is an
\nAmeriCorps VISTA
\nwith the Presbyterian
\nHunger Program in
\nCincinnati, OH.
\nShe loves running,
\nrock climbing, and
\nusing absurd amounts
\nof cilantro in her cooking.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"casey](\"\/media\/uploads\/blogs\/food_and_faith\/images\/caseyhenry.jpg\")
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