West Side Market Pilot Program To Offer Free Fruits And Veggies To Families In Need!

April 27, 2022April 29, 2022 ruthmaxey1 262 Views african American business news. African American lifestyles, african american news, alcohol sales city of Cleveland, child hunger, child nutrition, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, health and fitness, Homeless, homelessness, hunger, low income, ohio city, open market, open market vendors, produce perks Midwest, west side market, west side market 110 years old, west side market loss of vendors, west side market poorly managed by Jackson administration

FEATURED PHOTO: ROSS OLSON PRODUCE PERKS MIDWEST PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Cleveland.com, By Courtney Astolfi,, Posted April 27th 2022

The city of Cleveland Friday is launching a 10-week pilot program to provide low-income families with free fresh fruits and vegetables from the West Side Market.

The program is also intended to give a boost to the market’s produce vendors, as part of efforts by Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration to improve market traffic and operations.

The city is partnering on the project with Cleveland-based grassroots organization Food Access Raises Everyone (FARE), and Ohio-based non-profit Produce Perks Midwest. Once its over, FARE will analyze the program’s success and provide recommendations for similar initiatives in the future, according to a city news release.

“We are excited to bring the Produce Perks pilot to the West Side Market and expand access to nutritious fruits and vegetables at no cost to families,” Bibb stated in the release. “Increasing food access programs is a priority for my administration and we are grateful to FARE, Produce Perks Midwest and the participating vendors for making this initiative possible.”

The free produce will be available to households eligible for benefits through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Eligibility is limited to households with pregnant women and children, and based on federal poverty guidelines.

Those who participate will receive $240 in coupons that can be spent between Friday and June 30 at participating produce vendors. Its being funded by a $12,000 state allocation of TANF dollars obtained by Produce Perks Midwest through Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services.

Under the city’s agreement, Produce Perks Midwest will fund $10,000 worth of coupons, and pay FARE $2,000 to run and evaluate the program. They’ll also provide FARE with needed supplies, technology and marketing materials in English and Spanish, according to a city spokeswoman.

FARE staffers will be stationed at the market to assess shoppers’ eligibility for the program and distribute coupon booklets. The West Side Market’s social media accounts will advertise specific dates on which the booklets will be handed out. If participants buy less produce than a coupon is worth, no change will be provided, the release said. FARE will then reimburse vendors for the value of the coupons.

One participating vendor, Tom Boutros of Boutros Brothers Produce, said he hopes the program will “will help people see how the West Side Market can be a part of their daily shopping habit.”

His stand is among 11 vendors participating in the program.