What a refreshing sight to see the brilliant colors and cheerful faces featured in Justin George's piece about the reopening of the farmer's market downtown, "Baltimore market a sign of spring" (April 5). As a graduate student, I'm always interested in stretching my monthly grocery budget while still finding new and interesting products to try. The central downtown location doesn't hurt either.
For Baltimore's 200,000 residents who receive assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the opening of the market also represents a chance to get fresh local produce from many of the stands at the market that accept SNAP as payment. The farmers' market offers many options for affordable produce and vegetables that serve as an alternative to processed food or fast food options many families may turn to during the week.
I hope this partnership between local farmers' markets and SNAP continues to grow and that the Maryland Food Supplement Program and local departments of social services do more to promote the program as a great option for families looking for healthy food and a truly enjoyable shopping experience.
Kelli Vos, Baltimore