Build a Burger at King Portland Farmers Market July 4, 2010

Portland Farmers Market vendors and community partners have come together to help support Foodshare Fund Northeast (FFNE), the innovative program that helps our local ranchers and growers provide healthy food to our neighbors who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Area residents who use their SNAP funds at the King Market receive up to $10 in matching tokens to spend with local farmers, growers and ranchers through the fund.

With one out of six Oregonians experiencing food insecurity, demand on the FFNE’s program is at an all-time high. Last year, the average match was $234 per Sunday. This year it has risen to $896 per Sunday. Rain or shine, these families in need have been tapping into this fund to get more fresh, local food on their table. Plus it puts more money in the pockets of our hard-working farmers and ranchers. It’s a fantastic program.

You can help our neighbors in need and treat yourself to a Fourth of July Burger for $5. (There’s a grilled Tofurkey sausage for vegetarians.) Market vendors have donated the food, so 100% of the proceeds to go the matching fund program that helps your neighbors purchase healthy, local foods as they work to build a stable future.

If you can't come buy would like donate, stop by the NECN info booth at the market at any time, online through PayPal at portland.necoalition.org (specify "Foodshare Fund" in comments), or by mail, 4815 NE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211-3939. More information is also available on the Portland Farmers Market site, portlandfarmersmarket.org "Healthy Food for All".