cobblestone food access program

The Cobblestone Farmers Market recognizes that the current food system does not provide equal access to healthy foods. Many of our neighborhoods lack access to nutrient dense foods like fresh fruits and vegetables due to unavailability, high cost and limited transportation options. Families and individuals on a tight food budget are often unable to afford enough nutrient dense foods for optimum health and have little opportunity to eat local foods. The Cobblestone Food Access Program helps to make local and sustainable produce more accessible to people with limited income and limited food choices. At Cobblestone, WIC FMNP and Senior FMNP vouchers are matched dollar-for-dollar and SNAP participants receive an additional $10 in market tokens per market thanks to small grants and community support.

Our Food Access Program was created specifically to provide easier access for individuals and families on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC FMNP (Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) and SFMNP (Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program) to fresh, local food at the market. This falls directly in line with our mission to significantly increase equitable access to local, sustainably grown food in Winston-Salem, NC and to grow our regional food economy by creating and nurturing diverse, thriving marketplaces.

Past and current Food Access Program support comes from direct customer donations and grants from American Heart Association, WellCare, Winston-Salem Foundation and Red Backpack Foundation. We are currently seeking donations and funding for the 2024 Market Season; Sponsorship opportunities are also available (contact us for more info).

Learn more about how you can support the Cobblestone Farmers Market Food Access Program.

Do you have SNAP/EBT, Senior FMNP Vouchers or e-WIC FMNP Card? Visit this page for information on how to use them at market.

We also want to thank our partners in this work: Forsyth County Health Department, Senior Services, Senior and WIC FMNP staff and the North Carolina Farmers Market Network.