Benefits those receiving government assistance
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 9, 2016) — This season, 25 Kentucky farmers markets statewide and two Fresh Stops Markets in Lexington are offering the “Double Dollars” program, which allows people receiving government nutritional assistance to double their spending power if they shop at local farmers markets.
“Double Dollars” means that families receiving assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), or the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) are able to double their spending power (up to $10 per day) by shopping at farmers markets.
“Farmers markets using the Double Dollars program see an average increase in sales of 32 percent,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “And, of course, that increase in sales goes directly into the pockets of Kentucky’s farmers, who then spend that money at local stores and businesses. That’s a direct economic benefit for our farming communities, and the program also helps us address hunger and access to fresh food for Kentucky families.”
The state’s Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Matt Bevin, recently authorized more than $78,000 to support the Community Farm Alliance, which administers the Double Dollars program and funds on-site managers for the state’s farmers markets. WellCare Health Plans of Kentucky donated $6,000 and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services contributed an additional $5,500 to support Double Dollars.
The Double Dollars program began with just six markets in 2014. Surveys of Double Dollars users showed that people using the program felt they were eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and felt more educated about healthy eating.
Double Dollars are available at the following markets:
- Bardstown Road Farmers Market, Louisville
- Berea Farmers Market Cooperative
- South Point Farmers Market, Louisville
- Bounty of the Barrens Farmers Market, Glasgow
- Boyle County Farmers Market LLC
- Community Farmers Market Bowling Green
- Cumberland County Farmers Market
- Farmers Market on the Square, Columbia
- Franklin County Farmers Market
- Gateway Farmers Market (SoKY Marketplace), Bowling Green
- Gray Street Farmers Market, Louisville
- Jackson County Farmers Market
- Knox County Farmers Market Inc.
- Magoffin County Farmers Market Association
- Metcalfe County Farmers Market
- Owen County Farm and Craft Market
- Perry County Farmers Market
- Phoenix Hill NuLu Farmers Market, Louisville
- Winchester/Clark County Farmers Market
- Whitesburg/Letcher County Farmers Market
- Downtown Richmond Farmers Market
- Five Lexington Farmers Market locations
For more information about Kentucky’s farmers markets, visit the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at kyagr.com/marketing/farmers-market.html.
For more information about the Double Dollar Program visit the Community Farm Alliance at cfaky.org/what-we-do/fmsp/.
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