September is Hunger Action Month, and it’s the perfect time to highlight Food Assistance Match’s work and impact. Our co-founder, Dr. Mallory Ciuksza, recently joined Jenny D. on her Spill With Me podcast to talk about how FAM began, how it’s growing, and why it matters.
From Pandemic Beginnings to Community Impact
FAM started during the COVID-19 shutdown, when seniors and jobless individuals were homebound and cut off from fresh food options. Dr. Ciuksza and her husband Albert saw a need: farmer’s markets were full of healthy local produce, but families using food assistance benefits were often excluded.
With Food Assistance Match, SNAP and other food assistance dollars are doubled at participating farmer’s markets. This doubles the buying power of families while supporting local farmers and protecting patrons’ dignity by allowing everyone to shop just like anyone else.
What began as an emergency response has grown into an ongoing program. FAM now operates in markets across Bethel Park, Bellevue, and Cranberry, with plans to reach even more communities.
Preserving Dignity and Expanding Access
During the interview, Dr. Ciuksza shared how preserving dignity is at the heart of FAM. Participants swipe their benefits card at the market and receive matching credits to spend with local vendors. There’s no complicated paperwork or stigma. Looking ahead, we’re investing in technology improvements to make the process even smoother for shoppers and market vendors, and to help scale our impact.
Hunger Action Month: How You Can Help
This Hunger Action Month, we’re raising funds to sustain and grow Food Assistance Match. Support our mission by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word.
Learn more about Hunger Action Month or donate here.
Listen to the Full Interview
Catch the entire conversation between Dr. Ciuksza and Jenny D. on Apple or Spotify.
Spill with Me Jenny D. was created to help people talk about life experiences to help heal and know that they are not alone in their struggles. It’s a judgment-free zone where real talk meets real healing. Host Jenny D cares about You! A podcast that provides education, resources and entertainment.
Episodes are available on Apple and Spotify, and more information can be found at spillwithmejennyd.com.