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KLCC s Tiffany Eckert reports a recent grant will extend and expand the Double Up Food Bucks program to make locally grown fruits, veggies, herbs, beans and nuts more accessible and affordable to low income Lane County residents.
Double Up Food Bucks upon a bed of fresh spinach at a farm market stand in Lane County.
Credit Willamette Farm and Food Coalition
Double Up Food Bucks is well-known to folks who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP. It amounts to a coupon for up to $10.00, per market day, that can be spent at local farmer’s markets.
Rachael Ward of Willamette Farm and Food Coalition says the Food Bucks program makes fresh fruits, veggies, and beans a healthy option for customers. It also pays local growers.
It s officially farmers market season in Iowa, which means vendors from all over the metro area are lining up to serve residents fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers and much more until the season concludes in October.
If the Saturday Des Moines Farmers Market doesn t fit into your schedule, or maybe you re looking for something closer, here s a list of additional markets in the metro area for residents to check out.
Riverbend: Heart of Des Moines Farmers Market
The Heart of Des Moines Farmers Market is every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Forest Ave between 6th and 8th streets.
Tuesdays, May 18-Nov. 2, 3-7 p.m. (3-4 p.m. is reserved for shoppers disproportionately affected by COVID) Tuesdays, Nov. 9-Dec. 14, 3-6 p.m. (3-3:30pm is reserved for shoppers disproportionately affected by COVID) Lawrenceville United’s farmers market focuses on accessibility to fresh, healthy food, especially for low-income families, older adults, and individuals with food insecurity or low food access. The farmers market is accessible via walking, public transit, driving, or biking, and allows purchases using SNAP/EBT, as well as WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers. Every $5 spent in EBT will give shoppers $2 in Fresh Access Food Buck. First-time market goers are requested to register in advance. Masks and social distancing are required.