Greaux the Good: new statewide Market Match program launches to support farmers & feed families!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, and other organizations across the state are now eligible to receive state funding to create or expand Market Match programs which double recipients' dollars.
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Media Inquiries:
Ashanti Anderson, Director of Development & Communications
(504) 861-4485
New Orleans, Louisiana, November 16, 2022 —
Greaux the Good is Louisiana’s new statewide Market Match nutrition incentive program, operated by Market Umbrella, a nonprofit organization based in New Orleans that operates the Crescent City Farmers Markets and several fresh food access programs. Greaux the Good was made possible through funds allocated in the 2022-2023 state budget with hopes for future funding in upcoming fiscal years.
Greaux the Good provides funding to support Louisiana farmers markets, farm stands, and other eligible entities to either create or expand a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or a Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) incentive program. Low-income shoppers will receive a dollar for dollar match for SNAP/FMNP dollars they spend at participating farmers markets and other locations.
Greaux the Good is good for farmers and good for families. When selling food directly to shoppers, farmers make as much as 100% of every food dollar spent, compared to $0.14 on the dollar at traditional supermarkets. Double the shopping means double the earnings for local small farmers who often operate at a loss. The state also benefits by supporting this mutual exchange between local food producers and consumers, keeping more federal dollars in the state. “Right now only 0.007% of the SNAP benefits issued in FY 2020 in Louisiana were spent at farmers markets,” said Cordelia Heaney, Executive Director of Market Umbrella. “Providing more Louisiana farmers markets and operators with the ability to attract more SNAP shoppers is a major accomplishment in our work to support Louisiana farmers and food producers, as well as a way to positively impact food insecurity issues in our communities.”
For the management of this program, Market Umbrella has employed two dedicated full-time staff members as well as implemented a Market Advisory Committee (MAC) to assist the Greaux the Good team with input on ideas for outreach, marketing, and technical assistance. The committee members are from prominent organizations throughout Louisiana including:
BREADA - Red Stick Farmers Market - Allison Tohme Flynn, Development Director
Fightingville Fresh Market - Nicole Ryane Johnson, Co-Owner
LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities - Makenzie Miller, Local Food Systems Specialist
Louisiana Central - Bahia Nightengale, Executive Director for Farm & Food
Shreveport Farmers’ Market - Emerie Gentry, Market Manager
If you are or know of an entity eligible to become a Greaux the Good partner, please complete our Greaux the Good Partner Interest Form at www.greauxthegoodla.org/become-a-partner.
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Additional Contact Information for Market Umbrella Staff & Market Advisory Committee Members
Chelsea Triche Jackson
Greaux the Good Program Director, Market Umbrella
Katie Weaver
Greaux the Good Program Manager, Market Umbrella
Cordelia Heaney
Executive Director, Market Umbrella
Allison Tohme Flynn
Development Director, BREADA - Red Stick Farmers Market
Nicole Ryane Johnson
Farmer & Co-Owner, Fightingville Fresh Market
Makenzie Miller
Local Food Systems Specialist, LSU AgCenter
makenziemiller@agcenter.lsu.edu
Bahia Nightengale
Executive Director for Farm and Food, Louisiana Central
BNightengale@louisiana-central.com
Emerie Eck Gentry
Market Manager, Shreveport Farmers' Market
farmersmarket@redriverrevel.com
About Market Umbrella
Market Umbrella is the nonprofit organization that operates the Crescent City Farmers Market in New Orleans, as well as several food access and community nutrition programs that reach across the state. Market Umbrella’s mission is to cultivate the power of farmers markets to drive economic and community health in the region. Market Umbrella works to directly connect consumers with regional farmers, fishers, and food producers; provide community education related to nutrition and healthy eating; and offer a robust array of food access programs. Market Umbrella’s work supports Southeast Louisiana foodways and culture, serves as a small business incubator and supporter of the local economy, and provides food access programs to help all New Orleanians have greater access to fresh, local foods. For more information about Greaux the Good, Market Umbrella’s statewide market match nutrition incentive program, please visit www.greaxthegoodla.org! Stay connected with us on social media: Facebook: Greaux the Good / Instagram: @greauxthegoodla / Twitter: @greauxthegoodla
