There’s nothing like wandering around a farmers market, perusing lovely heaps of products, chatting with farmers, vendors, and neighbors, and soaking up the community vibes.

It’s a pleasure enjoyed by lots of people and yet remains inaccessible to so many. Access to farm-fresh food is at the heart of Chester County Food Bank’s (CCFB) mission and that is why the Food Bank remains committed to its Fresh2You Mobile Market that brings local, seasonal, and affordable fresh foods to communities with limited food access. It’s also why the nonprofit has partnered with Growing Roots Partners to help neighbors who may combat food insecurity while gaining access to the wonderful world of farmers markets.

Growing Roots Farmers Markets, hosted in Eagleview, Downingtown, and Malvern, were the first (and remain the only) farmers market in Chester County to accept EBT/SNAP (food stamps). That means that neighbors receiving SNAP can shop directly from farmers for fruits and veggies, bread, dairy, and more.

CCFB helps to stretch those funds even further by offering an incentive program for shoppers paying with SNAP or Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks. Every time a customer makes a SNAP-approved purchase, they will receive Veggie Bucks, matching dollar for dollar. Veggie Bucks can be used just like cash for future purchases of vegetables and fruit at any Growing Roots Farmers Market, CCFB Fresh2You Mobile Market, and Veggie Buck Partners. That means more gorgeous August melons and tomatoes, more September squashes, and more October apples.

Growing Roots Partners was founded over a decade ago by Lisa O’Neill, who had a decorated career as a Dietician. O’Neill dedicated her time and passion to local food and brought to life the Growing Roots markets that we know and love today and was committed to having the markets accessible to all neighbors and worked diligently through the extensive process to be a SNAP-certified vendor.

“I just feel that farmers’ markets become an integral part of a community,” said O’Neill. “When a community has needs that we can address, I feel that’s our responsibility.”

In 2021, O’Neill passed the Chester County-based Farmers Market Coordinator to current owner, Christy Campli, who has expanded the event production to community events like Craft & Mercantile and Good Food Fest.

“Over the past several years, the synergy with CCFB has strengthened, and it makes my heart sing,” said Campli. “I’ve participated at national farmers markets conferences and I encourage other market coordinators to reach out to their local food bank and see how they can partner. The collaboration not only strengthens our community ties but also ensures that fresh, local produce remains accessible to all our neighbors year-round.”

“The partnership with Growing Roots has been instrumental in our mission to ensure equitable access to nutritious and familiar food to our community,” said Catie Mahoney, Senior Director of Food Access & Education. “By supporting local agriculture through community collaborations like this, we not only provide fresh produce to our neighbors but also bolster our local farmers and economy. It is our hope that more communities, both locally and nationally, adopt this model for community engagement so that together we can reach more families and ensure everyone has access to nutritious food.”

Visit the Growing Roots Farmers Markets listed below year-round to enjoy good farms, good food, and good people. Be sure to stop by the Growing Roots tent at each market to tell them that CCFB sent you.

• Eagleview Farmers Market | Thursdays | 3:00 PM-6:30 PM
• Downingtown Farmers Market | Saturdays | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
• Malvern Farmers Market | Saturdays | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Learn more at Chester County Food Bank. The Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization serving over 100 community partners throughout Chester County.