Union Square Farmer's Market Opens May 14

SOMERVILLE, MA - The Union Square Farmer's Market will open on Saturday, May 14 and neighborhood eateries and businesses will be offering specialty items and goods where a percentage of sales will be donated to the Union Square Farmer’s Market SNAP Match program.

he program allows SNAP recipients to use their benefit cards to purchase farmers market tokens. The Union Square Main Streets organization then matches every dollar, up to $10, and has committed to raising $4,500 to sustain the Farmers Market SNAP Match program during the 2016 season.

"Between 2010 and 2014, the poverty rate in Somerville grew from 10.5 percent to 15.5 percent and 67 percent of the children in Somerville Public Schools are eligible for free or reduced meals," Union Square Cares wrote in a news release. "More than 13,000 Somerville residents live below the poverty line and with rising housing costs and federal budget cuts, it has become increasingly difficult for families to be able to afford healthy farmer’s market products."

On May 14 these businesses will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of certain items to the program. Participating businesses are:

Brass Union (70 Union Square): Drumlin Farm Benedict ($11, with 50 percent of sales donated)

Brooklyn Boulders (12A Tyler Street); Day Pass ($25, with 50 percent of sales donated)

Cove (375 Somerville Avenue): $1 donation for every new trial signup; $5 donation for every new account opened

East Boston Savings Bank (37 Union Square): $5 donation for every new account opened

El Potro Mexican Bar & Grill (61 Union Square): Veggie Burrito ($9.95, with 30 percent of sales donated); Spinach Enchilada ($11.95, with 30% of sales donated)

Gracie’s Ice Cream (22 Union Square): Pre-packed pints of Chocolate Beet Ice Cream ($6.75, with 50 percent of sales being donated)

The Independent (75 Union Square): Two Mini Fried Chicken Sandwiches with Farmers Market slaw ($12, with 50 percent of sales donated)

Juice Union (23 Bow Street): donation of 50 percent of sales of the “Juice of the Day”

Juliet (257 Washington Street): Farmers Market Salad ($8, with 50 percent of sales donated)

Open Space Acupuncture (70 Union Square, #102): $5 donation for every new patient seen

River Dog (321 Somerville Avenue): donation of 25 percent of sales of all West Paw Design dog toys (prices range from $12.99 to $19.99)

Somerville Brewing Company (15 Ward Street): $1 donation for every beer flight sold between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.