Courtesy of Cook’s Market at Rutgers Gardens.
Cook’s Market at Rutgers Gardens is committed to being a part of the food security solution
For many New Jersey residents, “SNAP” are four letters that represent hope during trying times. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal food benefits program designed to help households in need purchase the food they need while moving towards self-sufficiency. The program has evolved since it was launched in 1939 and expanded nationwide in 1974, assisting millions of families and individuals over the years. Cook’s Market at Rutgers Gardens is pleased to announce that many participating vendors, including the Rutgers Gardens Student Farm, can now accept SNAP as payment for eligible products at the market!
“Even with SNAP benefits, finding fresh, healthy, and especially local food that is both available and affordable can be a challenge,” says Lauren Errickson, director of Rutgers Gardens and Campus Stewardship at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
In an effort to improve food access, Cook’s Market has joined the Garden State Good Food Network, ensuring that SNAP customers are eligible to receive Good Food Bucks vouchers for fresh produce equal to the amount of SNAP benefits they spend each market day. The Garden State Good Food Network is a project of City Green, a 501(c)3 urban farming and gardening organization based in Clifton, New Jersey, that is working to revitalize urban areas through agriculture and educational programming. The Good Food Bucks program is a joint effort between City Green and New Jersey farmers markets to reduce financial barriers to healthy produce purchases, helping to make nutritious food accessible for all.
Cook’s Market features more than 20 vendors selling locally grown and produced items that include fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, grains, breads, pickles, meats, prepared foods, and more. The market is open every Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through November 18 at Rutgers Gardens, 130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick.
Visitors are welcome to bring the family to shop at the market, enjoy lunch prepared on site and walk the display gardens and natural areas of Rutgers Gardens. Admission is free.
Learn more about Cook’s Market. For the most up-to-date market news and to see which specific vendors will be selling at the market each Friday, join the Cook’s Market Facebook group and follow their Instagram page @RutgersCooksMarket.
