“Having SNAP-Ed educators at the farmers market provides people with meaningful instruction on incorporating seasonal and local fruits and vegetables into their diets. SNAP-Ed also energizes the community to come out and support the farmers market, which gives us a chance to sell more produce.”
“Having someone at the market who speaks the language of the community is critical. At our markets in Philadelphia, that means Spanish, sometimes Russian, and even some Mandarin. Thanks to SNAP-Ed, we have a Spanish translator there, and we’re working to reflect the variety of languages spoken. It’s not just about translating prices or naming the fruits and vegetables—it’s about explaining how these items may be different from what someone is used to back home, whether that’s in Puerto Rico or Taiwan. That kind of communication helps introduce people to local produce, reduces food miles, and supports folks in understanding and integrating into the food culture here in the U.S. It makes a huge difference when someone can connect with you like that.”
Want to join our Save SNAP-Ed campaign? Share Hank’s story or explore our full Voices of SNAP-Ed website, visit savesnaped.org for up-to-date advocacy resources, or amplify our social media messages on Instagram. #SNAPEdWorks #SaveSNAPEd