Rockville Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 14 and will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for customers using their federal nutrition benefits.

Entering its 11th year, the Eat Fresh Rockville and Maryland Market Money program removes economic barriers for food-insecure shoppers, by increasing access to fresh produce and increasing purchasing power. Customers can receive a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10 weekly when they shop with SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Electronic Benefits Transfer), P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) and WIC-FVC (Women, Infants and Children-Fruit and Vegetable Checks) at the market. Matching funds can be used to purchase locally grown and produced items including fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, dairy, baked goods, eggs and honey.

“[T]he Mayor and Council wishes to strengthen efforts to help proactively engage school communities and identify issues that impact the Rockville Community’s education and leadership opportunities,” the ordinance creating the commission states. Members of the group, who will be appointed by the Mayor and Council, will be representative of Rockville’s demographic and educational diversity, as well as its neighborhoods.

Of the 11 members, four will represent public education; three, private, parochial and home schooling; and three will be educational professionals. Those members will serve for two years. One will be a student member, who will serve for one year.  See a full list of the commission’s duties with the staff report at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter by selecting the Monday, April 18 Mayor and Council meeting listing.