Danbury Farmers' Market Gets Major Grant for 'Better Health' Program

A recent grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation of $27,000 has put the Danbury Famers’ Market Community Collaborative one huge step closer to their goal of raising $40,000 to promote “Better Heath Through Better Food.”

CityCenter Danbury, which manages the Danbury Farmers' Market, announced Monday that a donor-advised fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation awarded $27,000 to continue its efforts toward a true nutrition-in-action program for low income seniors, low income veterans, women, infants and children, food-insecure families and individuals receiving SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps)..

"Now we are in great shape to match benefits throughout the entire season," public health nutritionist and overseer of the Danbury Market Peggy Zamore said.

The FCCF donor-advised grant doubles the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) "food stamps" by enabling SNAP recipients to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. EBT cards work like debit cards; SNAP and other state benefits are loaded on the cards, then swiped at the Market for the purchase of Connecticut Grown, fresh local produce.

The grant also provides for matching other Farmers' Market nutrition benefit voucher programs and strengthening staff and outreach. 

"This year marks the launch of a matching voucher program for low income veterans, a pilot project of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the only program of its kind in the country,” Zamore noted. “A local philanthropist and ongoing Market supporter, in addition to a generous donation, has offered to match dollar-for-dollar contributions up to $6,300. Every Friday at the Market, we see evidence that we are rapidly approaching our goal of a healthier community."

The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes philanthropy to build and sustain a vital and prosperous community. As the region’s center of philanthropy, it provides:
Personalized philanthropic advisory services and financial stewardship to donors and partners;
Visionary leadership and strategic initiatives to address key regional issues; and
Grants, counsel and leadership training to local nonprofits.

The Danbury Farmers' Market will be open every Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Halloween, Oct. 31, at the newly landscaped Kennedy Park.

For more information, call 203-792-1711 or visit citycenterdanbury.com.

Based off a release from CityCenter Danbury.