By Catherine Hallet, Dietetic Intern, Farm to Fork<\/p>\n
Farmers\u2019 market incentive programs, such as\u00a0Market Match\u00a0in California\u00a0and\u00a0Double Up Food Bucks\u00a0in Michigan, help low-income consumers access fresh fruits and vegetables at a reasonable cost.\u00a0 While each program varies slightly, they offer individuals extra money to purchase produce from local farmers when they utilize their SNAP benefits at farmers\u2019 markets.\u00a0 For example, in California,\u00a0Market Match\u00a0provides \u201ccustomers an extra $5 when they spend at least $10 on their CalFresh cards\u201d(1).\u00a0\u00a0Market Match\u00a0and other incentive programs provide a \u201cwin-win\u201d for the community \u2013 not only can individuals receive more produce for their dollar, they stimulate the economy and support their local farmers.<\/p>\n
Despite only being introduced a couple years ago, farmers\u2019 market incentive programs have been quite successful.\u00a0 According to\u00a0Market Match, \u201cCalFresh redemption at local farmers\u2019 markets [has increased] by over 650%\u201d.\u00a0 Furthermore, CalFresh participants reported an increase in fruit and vegetable intake (1).\u00a0 In Michigan, not only did produce consumption increase, \u201c83% of farmers say they make more money\u201d (2,3).\u00a0 With its quick success, farmers\u2019 market incentive programs show promise as a possible method for communities to promote access and consumption of fresh produce. Congress has recognized this potential and allocated up to $20 million to support such programs in the 2014 Farm Bill.<\/p>\n
140 Farmers’ Markets in California participated in the Market Match program in 2013 (4). Check out some of the California farmers\u2019 markets that offer\u00a0Market Match\u00a0here:http:\/\/www.pcfma.com\/pcfma_marketmatchdates.php<\/a>.<\/p>\n For information on other Farmers\u2019 Market Incentive programs for low-income Californians, check out the Seniors Farmers\u2019 Market Nutrition Program (administered by CDFA) and the WIC Farmers\u2019 Market Nutrition Program (administered by CDPH).<\/p>\n Works Cited<\/p>\n (1)\u00a0Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association.”\u00a0Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. <http:\/\/pcfma.com\/pcfma_marketmatch.php>.<\/p>\n (2) Double Up Food Bucks.\u00a0Healthy Food Incentives Work. N.p.: Double Up Food Bucks, n.d.\u00a0Home. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. <http:\/\/www.doubleupfoodbucks.org\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/FFN_DUFB%20Eval%202012_OnePager.pdf>.<\/p>\n (3) Partners.”\u00a0Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. <http:\/\/www.doubleupfoodbucks.org\/partners>.<\/p>\n