AZ Complete Health Partnership funds Educational Programming

Heirloom Farmers Markets Market Ambassador and Taste of the Market programs help customers shop, cook, and eat locally. Thanks to the generous support by our sponsor, Arizona Complete Health, these programs have the opportunity to continue serving the southern Arizona community.

SNAP and FMNP customers are encouraged to seek out the Market Ambassador from the moment they receive their benefits to the moment they buy their food. The Market Ambassador gives market tours and connects food assistance customers with farmers. With the Market Ambassador as a guide, customers learn about seasonal produce, create shopping lists and grocery budgets, and brainstorm recipes and meal plans. These efforts engage SNAP and FMNP customers to enjoy the farmers markets and return for healthy and locally grown food.

In the same way as the Market Ambassador supports customers, the Taste of the Market (TotM) directly supports local farmers and food producers by utilizing their seasonal goods in taste tests, encouraging participants to understand the harvest that is available to them and feel more comfortable purchasing new vegetables. TotM increases the visibility of local products by providing a rotating selection of seasonal foods for sampling, making them available to thousands of visitors each week.

These programs are possible through generous support from Arizona Complete Health.