Food stamp shoppers starting in July will get a financial boost when they use public benefits to buy certain items at the Lane County Farmers Market.
Tokens will increase the buying power of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients by providing a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10 per market day to purchase fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, beans and cut herbs, the Lane County Farmers Market said on Wednesday.
The “Double Up Food Bucks” program was established by the Portland-based Farmers Market Fund, a $20,000 donation from Lane County Community and Economic Development, plus donations from local individuals and businesses. Willamette Farm and Food Coalition is providing administrative and fundraising support to the Lane County Farmers Market to start Double Up Food Bucks.
Increasing access to locally grown foods for low-income Lane County residents is integral to WFFC’s nonprofit mission, said Executive Director Lynne Fessenden. “Double Up Food Bucks is a three-way win,” she said. “SNAP shoppers get more fresh healthy food for their families. Farmers sell more produce. And more federal benefit dollars stay in our community, strengthening our local economy.”
Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is known to improve health, but numerous households find fresh produce unaffordable, the Farmers Market said.
In the Eugene-Springfield area, 40,253 low-income households receive monthly SNAP benefits, totaling more than $8 million per month, the market said. The Farmers Market averages $60,000 in annual SNAP sales.
Most of the year, the Lane County Farmers Market takes place outdoors in Eugene on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at East Eighth Avenue and Oak Street
Shoppers can visit the market information booth to swipe their Oregon Trail Card to receive $1 tokens to use at vendor booths to purchase SNAP eligible food items.
Foundations, businesses and individuals are being asked to donate to the program, the Farmers Market said. The money is needed to offset the cost of the tokens, and to support the staff who manage the program, train market staff and vendors, promote the program to SNAP participants, lead fundraising efforts, and measure the program’s effectiveness.
More information about donating to Double Up Food Bucks can be found at LaneFood.org. People also can support the program on Sunday, Aug. 28 by attending the second annual Farmers Market Feast.
Details about the farm-to-table fundraiser are at lanecountyfarmersmarket.org.
Originated by Fair Food Network in Michigan, Double Up Food Bucks has generated more than $5 million in sales for Michigan farmers during the last five years. The Portland-based Farmers Market Fund received a United States Department of Agriculture grant in 2015 to adapt the program for use throughout Oregon.
SNAP match programs have helped Oregon families around the state eat more fresh produce, the Farmers Market said. However, most programs offered only a $5 match.
In the markets where Double Up Food Bucks took place, 92 percent of the 628 SNAP shoppers surveyed in 2015 said they purchased more fruits and vegetables because of the match.
SNAP shoppers can redeem and spend Double Up Food Bucks tokens at any of the 51 participating Oregon farmers markets or farm stands.
A list of participating venues is available at doubleuporegon.org or by calling Oregon’s health and social services information service at 211. Other participating markets in the Eugene-Springfield area include FOOD for Lane County Youth Farm farm stands in Springfield, Spencer Creek Growers Market in Eugene, and Creswell Farmers’ Market.
Follow Ed on Twitter @edwardrusso . Email ed.russo@registerguard.com .
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