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Source: http://www.adn.com/2014/05/18/3475459/food-stamps-make-huge-gains-at.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1#storylink=cpy
Farmers’ markets are great places to buy healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. But many folks who receive food assistance benefits (Latinos make up 41% of WIC participants and 15% of SNAP participants) can’t use those benefits at the market.
Farmers’ markets across the country are trying to change this, equipping their markets with machines that can turn the food assistance benefits into currency farmers can accept in exchange for fresh food.
In Alaska, a handful of markets in the state introduced debit card readers, a small change put in place to give Alaskans who use Quest cards, the delivery system for SNAP funds, the ability to purchase fruits, vegetables and even plant starters.
When the first two machines were installed in 2011, revenue for the two pilot markets totaled more than $13,000. In the three seasons since, it’s expanded enormously. In 2012, five markets brought in more than $50,000. The next year, the number of markets participating (10) and revenue ($114,000) both doubled.
Officials are expecting to expand the program. At least 11 markets across the state have been confirmed for the program, including markets in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Sitka and Bethel.
Read more about the success at Alaskan farmers’ markets in the news.
By The Numbers
1
Supermarket
for every Latino neighborhood, compared to 3 for every non-Latino neighborhood
