SNAP Dollars at Farmers Markets

SNAP Dollars at Farmers Markets

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
SNAP Dollars at Farmers Markets

The season for farmers markets is in full swing, offering nutritious and fresh options for folks across the country.

For recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, their dollars spent at Idaho farmers markets can go twice as far.

Idaho has something called the "Double Up Food Bucks program" which offers to match each dollar spent up to 10 or 20 dollars. The matching dollars can then be used to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Denise Dixon with the Idaho Farmers Market Association, says Double Up Food Bucks is a win for families on SNAP.

"So you're not only introducing more fruits and vegetables to the most needed population and the most vulnerable population, you're also introducing it to their children, your next generation."

And Dixon says with fresh fruits and vegetables really are better for people's health than what they might find at the grocery store, where foods might be processed with additives like sugars and preservatives to increase their shelf life.

"There's some studies out there that say that by the time your fruits and vegetables get to the grocery store, some of them lose at least half or more of their nutritional value. These farmers pick their crop the day of the market, so you can't get any fresher than that."

Dixon says it's the heart of the growing sea

Previous ReportFarm Byproducts and Biogas
Next ReportHemp Regulation Continues