People To Produce – Farmers’ Market Shuttle Project

Overview

People to Produce is an exciting new pilot project meant to connect older adults experiencing food insecurity and a lack of reliable transportation in South Sacramento to the delicious groceries available at the Florin Road Farmers’ Market.  This is a collaborative project offered by the combined efforts of Paratransit, Inc.; Meals on Wheels by ACC; and Alchemist CDC. The pilot is planned to last for 3 years and the transportation is funded by a grant from the USDA Local Food Promotion Program.

Participants will be picked up by dedicated Paratransit shuttles and taken to the Florin Road Farmers’ Market. Alchemist CDC staff will punch their cards and distribute $20 in vouchers to each participant each week to be spent on groceries at the market. Participants will be recruited by Meals on Wheels, which will also be funding the vouchers. After shopping, participants will ride back to Pannell Community Center on another Paratransit shuttle. The shuttles will also have some additional space for members of the public, family and friends of program participants, etc.

We hope this three year pilot project becomes a model for the creation of transit bridges to address food deserts across the country!

How It Works

• Sign up with Meals on Wheels staff to participate and get a punch card for the market.
• Get picked up every Thursday at the Pannell Meadowview Community Center between 8:30 – 11:00am by a Paratransit shuttle to go to the Florin Road Farmers’ Market.
• Pick Up Location:
  Pannell Community Center
  2450 Meadowview Rd, Sacramento, CA 95832
• Upon arrival at the market, you will show your punch card and receive $20 in market vouchers to spend on groceries.
• The shuttle will bring you back after 30-45 minutes.
• Enjoy your items from the farmers’ market!

Program Rules

• You can sign up to participate in the program for 6 months at a time.
• You can receive $20 in vouchers only for the weeks you go to the market. If you miss a week, you will not receive that week’s vouchers.
• Vouchers can be used for all grocery items at the market. They can NOT be used on any hot foods, hot beverages, or flowers.
• Vouchers expire May 31, 2026.

Contact Information:

• For questions about signing up, enrollment, etc., please contact:
  Meals on Wheels: 916-444-9533 or admins@mowsac.org
  
• For questions about the shuttle, missed shuttles, etc., please contact:
  Paratransit: Dispatch 916-429-2009 Option 1
• For questions about vouchers, the market, lost punch cards, etc., please contact:
  Alchemist CDC: 916-890-4191 or PeopleToProduce@alchemistcdc.org

FAQ

Q: I lost my punch card. What do I do?
A: Take the shuttle to the farmers’ market and visit the People to Produce staffer from Alchemist CDC to let them know. You will need to provide the name you used to register with the program and should also provide a photo ID. If you have the serial number of your punch card, this will be helpful. Your lost punch card will be voided on the project records and can no longer be used. You will be issued a new punch card with a new serial number. You can also contact Alchemist CDC in advance about your lost punch card.

Q: I will need to miss a few weeks of the market but I have a good reason. What do I do?
A: Contact us and let us know about your situation and we can work with you on a case by case basis.

Q: Where can I learn more about local farmers’ markets?
A: Visit the Sacramento/Yolo Farmers’ Market Guide.

Q: Can I use my CalFresh/EBT benefits at local farmers’ markets?
A: Yes! Visit the CalFresh Guide for more information.

Q: I know one of the project participants and I don’t think they should be eligible for the program. Who do I talk to?
A: Every project participant goes through an intake process to assess eligibility. While the project does prioritize certain eligibility characteristics, each person is evaluated as a unique individual. You do not need to worry that we have incorrectly accepted a participant.