Developing a Wholesome Foods Pop-Up Market

Grantee Name

Field & Fork Network Inc. / Field & Fork Network

Funding Area

Building Healthy Communities

Publication Date

January 2017

Grant Amount

$15,000

Grant Date:

May 2015 – June 2016

Print

NYHealth launched the Healthy Neighborhoods Fund initiative to help six communities across New York State become healthier and more active places, one of which is Niagara Falls’ North End neighborhood.

As part of this initiative, NYHealth awarded Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative a grant to improve access to affordable, healthy food in the community by expanding pop-up farmers’ markets. Pop-up markets are a convenient and affordable way for residents to purchase fresh, healthy foods in neighborhoods with limited or no access to such food options.

In 2015, NYHealth awarded Field & Fork Network a modest grant to provide technical assistance to the Collaborative in the development of a wholesome foods pop-up market.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Created a business plan that outlines operational and logistical details of the market, including site selection, scheduling, inventory procurement and control, and money handling;
Included a workforce development program in the business plan for hiring part-time, seasonal employees and training them on regional food systems, basic money management, sales techniques, and other transferable job skills; and
Developed a budget that allows for long-term sustainability of the market.

The market is on schedule to launch in spring 2017. It has received a grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to implement Double Up Food Bucks, a food-purchasing program for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), at the market. This grant will provide three-year funding for matching value on dollars spent by SNAP recipients on fruits and vegetables at the market.

Co-Funding and Additional Funds Leveraged: Field & Fork leveraged NYHealth’s support to secure additional funding from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo ($20,000) and Capital Impact Partners ($1,100) and a three-year grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program ($30,000) in support of Double Up Food Bucks at the market.

Back to Grant Outcomes