$35 Million Victory for Food Security: State Budget to Restore Full Funding for Market Match Program

Program Will Continue Doubling the Purchasing Power of Low-Income Households–Including 100,000 Low-Income San Franciscans–at Farmers Markets 

In a major win for food security advocates and low-income families across California, including over 100,000 San Franciscans, the Market Match program has secured continued funding following months of grassroots advocacy by a coalition of hunger organizations, nutrition advocates, and community leaders in the face of proposed budget cuts in the Governor’s budget.

The Market Match Program provides dollar-for-dollar matches to CalFresh recipients when they use their benefits at farmers' markets, effectively doubling their purchasing power for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. This initiative not only boosts the health and nutrition of low-income households but also stimulates local economies by driving sales for small-scale farmers. The program was fully cut in the Governor’s January proposed budget, but then, following an outpouring of support, fully restored in the approved 2024/2025 California State Budget, and will be fully funded through 2027.

“This is an incredible victory for food security and community health advocates across California, and would not have been successful without the tireless organizing from residents, food access organizations, farmers’ markets, groups serving the poor and policymakers who recognized the profound impact of the Market Match program,” said Supervisor Dean Preston, who authored local legislation in support of the program. “I could not be more proud of the Save Market Match Coalition, and especially of the tireless organizing by residents and organizations in San Francisco and especially in my district.”

The Save Market Match coalition’s efforts included a statewide campaign of petitions, testimonies, and direct lobbying, and highlighted the program’s impact on residents and farmers across California. In April 2024, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Supervisor Preston’s resolution urging the Governor and State Legislature to fully restore funding for the program , setting a precedent for other municipalities. A major force in San Francisco was the Tenderloin Food Policy Council, a resident-led advocacy group founded in 2023 to address food insecurity in the Tenderloin and funded through the Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax. The Tenderloin Food Policy Council organized two lobbying trips to Sacramento for senior residents and requested Supervisor Preston, who represents the Tenderloin, to submit the resolution. Despite their success, the Tenderloin Food Policy Council is currently facing budget cuts in the Mayor’s proposed budget.

“Every voice and every stomach was heard, and every voice mattered,” said Lisa Whitney, Tenderloin Food Policy Council member. “Thank you to everybody involved in advocating for this program, and to the legislature for championing along with us. Power to the people!”

The resolution urging retention of full funding for the Market Match program aligns with Supervisor Preston’s extensive work to address food insecurity, including urging the California State Legislature to provide supplemental CalFresh benefits, winning Halal Food Vouchers in the Tenderloin in the last budget cycle, advocating to bring a full-service grocery store to the Tenderloin, support for the Heart of the City Farmers Market in the face of displacement, preventing the abrupt closure of the Fillmore’s only full-scale grocery store, and championing the Grocery Protection Act.