Meals Help Packages at Farmers Markets

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Many farmers markets supply meals help packages, making farmers markets extra reasonably priced choices for communities. Study extra about find out how to use SNAP at farmers markets.

Sadly, many Individuals are meals insecure (greater than 10%), and shouldn’t have entry to a wide range of contemporary, wholesome meals selections that match their cultural and private meals preferences. A method that Individuals are in a position to battle starvation is by making use of for the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP).  This meals help program supplies forty-five million Individuals with month-to-month advantages that can be utilized to buy groceries and cut back the quantity of meals insecurity the family is experiencing. The excellent news is that SNAP {dollars} could also be used at native farmer markets as a method to allow households have entry to contemporary, regionally grown produce.

Burrito with Refried Beans and Corn

What’s SNAP?

SNAP is likely one of the USDA’s meals help packages that may assist households transfer away from starvation and meals insecurity. People who meet the necessities for SNAP can apply within the state they at present dwell in. The variety of individuals which might be residing in your family, your month-to-month revenue, and variety of assets you will have decide the utmost month-to-month allotment that you could be obtain.  

Households that obtain SNAP advantages are allowed to buy fruit, greens, dairy merchandise, breads, cereals, meat, fish, and poultry at grocery shops that take SNAP advantages. People will not be allowed to buy alcohol, diet dietary supplements, ready-to-eat prepackaged meals, or pet meals with SNAP advantages. These guidelines had been established to encourage households to succeed in for extra healthful choices. Prior to now few years, SNAP contributors have been allowed to make use of their funds at native farmers markets.  

Inexperienced and Gold Brown Rice Salad

SNAP at Farmers Markets 

Having the ability to use SNAP advantages at farmers markets has enabled extra contemporary, regionally grown produce to be bought by extra households. In 2017, twenty-four million SNAP advantages had been redeemed at farmers markets throughout the U.S. Though this quantity solely makes up about one % of redeemed advantages from contributors, an increasing number of people on SNAP are touring to their native farmers market to buy produce, construct relationships with farmers, and be taught the place meals comes from.  

Golden Turmeric Hemp Granola

Double Greenback Advantages 

When SNAP contributors use their advantages on the market, they will obtain double greenback tokens.  These tokens are a reward for spending cash on the market. People can obtain as much as twenty {dollars} in matched funds that can be utilized to buy extra produce on the market.  

Grilled Peaches with Basil

Advantages of SNAP Permitted Markets 

Contributors who use their advantages at farmers markets are in a position to take pleasure in regionally grown produce that’s scrumptious and nutritious. Additionally, it permits members to be taught extra about what produce is in season, how farmers produce meals, and the number of produce that’s accessible to take pleasure in. To not point out that this program helps households have entry to nutrient-rich meals which will assist fill in any nutrient gaps of their present weight-reduction plan. Plus, the good thing about connecting with neighborhood and the native meals system is promising! 

To be taught extra about native meals, take a look at these different blogs:

Making Native Meals Inexpensive
5 Advantages for Consuming Native
The Many Advantages of Studying How you can Develop Your Personal Meals

Written by Michelle Naragon, dietetic intern with Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN 

 

Sources 

Bolen, E.  (2020).  SNAP Boosts Retailers and Native Economies.  Middle on Price range and Coverage Priorities.  https://www.cbpp.org/analysis/food-assistance/snap-boosts-retailers-and-local-economies

N.A. (2021).  Supplemental Vitamin Help Program.  Farmers Market Coalition.  https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/advocacy/snap/

N.A.  (2021).  What Can SNAP Purchase?  USDA.  https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items

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