The WSFMA helps farmers markets run successful food access programs such as WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), SNAP, and SNAP Market Match. Our goal is that farmers markets are a vital source of fruits, vegetables, and other local foods for SNAP and FMNP shoppers, promoting healthy eating for everyone.
To do this, the WSFMA works closely with the Washington Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS), Department of Health (DOH), Washington State University SNAP-Ed, and local partners to coordinate opportunities, measure outcomes, track changing technology, and share best practices.
WSFMA Regional Leads
Every farmers market in Washington has a “Regional Lead” who is an “on-the-ground” resource to support farmers markets and vendors, coordinate outreach and SNAP-Ed activities with local partners, and keep farmers markets updated about technical, policy, or funding changes to food access programs. They also help by:
- Providing farmers markets with up-to-date SNAP, SNAP Market Match and WIC and Senior FMNP program signage, including A-Boards and Banners.
- Supporting farmers markets with one-on-one support getting started, renewing, and/or growing WIC and Senior FMNP, SNAP, or SNAP Market Match programs. Regional Leads connect farmers markets with direct contacts and share opportunities for training and ongoing education.
- Supporting implementation and promotion of SNAP Market Match and other fruit and vegetable incentive match programs at farmers markets.
- Educating partners, farmers markets, and growers about how each program works, how to use food benefits at farmers markets, and what’s in season.
- Supporting activities that promote healthy eating and farmers market shopping, such as kids’ activities, chef demos, Market Tours, and more!
- Partnering to promote farmers markets’ food access programs, including sharing “Regional Farmers Market Food Access Directories” in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Russian.
2024 Farmers Market Food Access Calendar
Downloadable PDF with key training and application deadlines from WSFMA, FMNP and the SNAP Market Match program.
Interested in becoming a WSFMA Regional Lead?
Regional Leads are part-time, independent contractor positions to support the SNAP-Ed Statewide Farmers Market Initiative by supporting farmers markets and SNAP-Ed partners in a specific Washington region. If you would like to learn how to become a Regional Lead for your area, please review the Regional Lead position description and contact us foodaccess[at]wafarmersmarkets[dot]org. We are currently seeking Regional Leads in King County, the West Sound Region, Southwest Region, and Central WA.