Denio’s Roseville Farmers Market & Swap Meet announced that it is now authorized to participate in the federally funded food-assistance program for low-income families, known in California as the CalFresh Program.

The program, formerly known as Food Stamps and federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs by using an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card.

The state-issued EBT cards will now be accepted to purchase items at Denio’s, which includes over 70 vendors and 130 spaces in the produce area, selling a wide array of affordable fruits and vegetables. On a seasonal basis, the number of vendors and farmers is even higher.

Denio’s will utilize a token, exclusive to their market, that will be provided to program participants. Customers can swipe their CalFresh EBT cards in the Denio’s token office in exchange for tokens, which can be spent just like cash with the participating vendors.

“I appreciate Denio’s persistence in wanting to have the CalFresh Program available to its customers,” said Edie Jessup, Central California Regional Health and Human Services program specialist. “Many cultural groups enjoy purchasing at open-air markets like Denio’s, where they can connect with neighbors and community. The program has had tremendous success at farmers markets throughout California’s Central Valley.”

Denio’s, which is located at 1551 Vineyard Road in Roseville, is among a select few farmers markets in the Sacramento region to become an authorized food-assistance retailer. The number of farmers markets licensed to utilize this program is increasing nationwide, allowing low-income families the opportunity to purchase local fruits and vegetables.

“Our customers have always been important to us,” owner Ken Denio said. “This program allows us to offer our customers the best possible quality and variety of fresh, nutritious produce and other food products by using their CalFresh EBT cards to purchase tokens. Now customers can shop nearly every produce vendor in our market.”

Denio’s has conducted intensive training for its vendors to ensure they are aware of product and change-making restrictions and other rules of participation.

“Because Denio’s has always been known for its great pricing, our customers have the opportunity to really stretch their buying power, which is so important in today’s economy,” Denio said. “Equally important is the stimulus this program provides small businesses, whether they are farmers, suppliers, producers, nurserymen or manufacturers.”

Denio’s is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The Friday outdoor market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Denio’s encourages other farmers or market vendors to join their operation. For more information about this program, e-mail Denio’s at ebt@deniosmarket.com or visit deniosmarket.com or call 782-2704.