Mount Airy, MD . November 4, 2019 | The Mount Airy Main Street Association (MAMSA) partnered with Walmart-Mount Airy for the second year in a row on behalf of Mount Airy Net to provide its patrons with MAMSFM Nutrition Buck$ vouchers redeemable at the Mount Airy Main Street Farmers' Market. Recently, MAMSA presented a check to the Net for $1,225.00, the remaining funds from the $3,000 Walmart Foundation Community Grant. awarded earlier this year in support of the voucher program.
The Mount Airy Main Street Association was able to obtain a grant to promote healthy eating at the 2019 Mount Airy Main Street Farmers' Market through the Walmart Foundation's Community Grant Program, a program that allows local Walmart stores to give grants to help their local community.
The grant awarded by Walmart-Mount Airy made it possible for families in need—patrons of the Mt. Airy Net — to obtain healthy, locally grown and or produced farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, and value added and prepared food products at the market. In addition, the voucher program presented an opportunity for the Net's patrons to fully experience the market, talk directly with the farmers and producers, and attend food and nutrition educational demos; all of which helped them learn the importance of healthy eating.
The voucher program was a great success during the second year. Though roughly 60 percent of the 600 $5 vouchers given out at the Mt. Airy Net were actually redeemed, the remaining funds received through the grant, exactly $1,225, were presented on Oct. 29 to the Mount Airy Net.
In 2018, the initial Walmart Foundation Community Grant was awarded to MAMSA for $3,600 for the voucher program which allowed the Net's 90 patrons to obtain healthy, locally grown and produced farm-fresh foods at the market . At the end of the 2018 market season, exactly half of the market vouchers were redeemed resulting in a $1,800 passed on to the Mt. Air Net.
The Mt Airy Net serves those in need within the greater four-county Mt. Air community through providing their patrons access to food and personal items, medical assistance, rental assistance and energy assistance. Learn more about the Mt. Airy Net by clicking here.
See related: One Big Thing! Strong Partnerships Formed to Feed Mount Airy’s Hungry, posted Nov. 15, 2018.
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The Mount Airy Main Street Farmers' Market was formed in 2007 and is a production of the Mount Airy Main Street Association in partnership with the Town of Mount Airy. The 2019 Mount Airy Main Street Farmers' Market ran on Wednesdays, May 15-September 25, 2019, 3 - 7 p.m. It is located in the historic Town of Mount Airy, Maryland in the Railyard behind the historic Mount Airy Train Station at 3 North Main Street, Mount Airy, MD 21771.
Mount Airy Main Street Association (MAMSA) members are a dedicated group of volunteer residents and business owners interested in working with the Town and other stakeholders to revitalize Historic Downtown Mount Airy's business district. MAMSA strives to establish Downtown as a gathering place and center of community life, promote commerce for local businesses, sponsor cultural events for residents and visitors, and create a small town destination that is easily accessible by car, bike, and foot. MAMSA is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization registered with the State of Maryland. Learn more, become a member, visit MountAiryMainStreet.org.