Food Aid & Farmers Markets
�Hunger benefits programs are vital to many farmers markets� By Russ Parsons for the Los Angeles Times , February 24, 2015 Peppers from the Gardena farmers market. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times ) Most people think of farmers markets as places where famous chefs shop for precious fruits and vegetables, or where passionate cooks can meet their friends for a pleasant morning�s shopping. But for many Los Angeles County farmers markets, it is customers at the other end of the economic spectrum who are the backbone of the business. Particularly at small and mid-sized markets in poor neighborhoods, food stamps � now called CalFresh � and WIC [ Women, Infants and Children ] benefits make up the bulk of farmers market business. More than 60 Los Angeles County markets now accept benefits. For Celeste Colford, shopping at the Friday market in a parking lot of the First Congregational Church in downtown Long Beach, being able to use the benefits to buy fresh fruits and vegetables is a k