For many residents of Maryland’s Takoma/Langley Crossroads, a diverse, largely immigrant community, food that was fresh, local, healthy, and affordable was simply out of reach – until, that is, Crossroads opened its seasonal farmers market in 2007. It was the first market in Maryland to accept federal nutrition benefits and the first in the country to match those benefits with coupons of equal value – an innovative model that has been replicated in 500 locations around the country. In addition, Crossroads’ Healthy Eating Program educates students and parents at three elementary schools about what healthy eating really means, and its Microenterprise Training Program helps entrepreneurs explore opportunities for food-related businesses in the community. Your contribution today puts fresh food on someone’s table tomorrow.
Headquarters: MD-Montgomery County
Where They Operate: MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; Takoma/Langley Crossroads
Age Groups Served: All
Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Asian American; Caucasian; Latino/Hispanic
Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members
Schools They Work In: Rolling Terrace Elementary School; Piney Branch Elementary School
- Amount of Fresh Checks (vouchers that match the value of federal nutrition benefits spent at market on fresh fruits and vegetables) distributed since 2007 :
$340,000 - Number of low-income families served by our Fresh Checks Program at the Crossroads Farmers Market since 2007:
9,000
Awards & Recognition
Crossroads Board Member Steve Mandel was honored with the Individual Making a Difference Award by the Nonprofit Village in 2015
Programs Manager Michelle Dudley received an Azalea Award from the Takoma Foundation in 2014
Board President Lorig Charkoudian was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2014 and received the Montgomery Serves Award for volunteer work in 2013
CCFN received Slow Food DC’s Snail of Approval Award in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014
Press
- Crossroads Farmers Market
Mon Sep 14 2015, Cable Channel Montgomery
Cable Channel Montgomery visits the Crossroads Farmers Market
- Crossroads Farmers Market closes income gap with fresh produce
Wed Sep 2 2015, The Washington Post
Market organizers want to provide fresh, healthful and affordable food to low-income people in the Washington area.
- Fifty+ under 50: Innovative leaders transforming metro DC's food system
Tue Aug 4 2015, Elevation DC
Crossroads Executive Director Christie Balch named local food hero
- Roberts: Food stamps at the farmers' market
Fri Jul 10 2015, Metro West Daily News (nationally syndicated column)
Cokie Roberts and Steven V. Roberts discuss giving healthy bonuses for nutritious food
- How 'Double Bucks' For Food Stamps Conquered Capitol Hill
Mon Nov 10 2014, NPR
"The federal government is about to put $100 million behind a simple idea: doubling the value of SNAP benefits"
Budget (FY2013)
- $3 million or higher
- $1 million to $3 million
- $500k to $1 million
- The current budget for Crossroads Community Food Network is: Less than $500k
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