Shopping for a healthy meal can be difficult in Bridgeport, where many neighborhoods are several miles from the nearest grocery store—a phenomenon called “urban food deserts.” So, when several farmers markets opened last year in the city, thousands of people attended. Best of all, low-income families could double their federal nutrition benefits at markets run by the nonprofit Wholesome Wave and the city of Bridgeport. At the St. Vincent’s and East Side markets alone, over $26,000 in federal nutrition benefits were spent. Now for much of the year, fresh, local produce is within reach for low-income families. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to buy so many vegetables,” explains one participant. “They’re too expensive in the store.”