The Community Farm Alliance (CFA) has come up with another way to encourage people, particularly those who use assistance programs such as WIC, SNAP and senior vouchers, to visit their local farmers' market.
The Alliance has a Double Dollars program, which allows people to double the value of their SNAP card or vouchers, up to $10 per visit. Farmers’ markets provide Richmond residents with an opportunity to enjoy locally grown, fresh produce, and other locally produced foods.
The program allows $2,000 for doubling at each market. The CFA contributes $1,500 and it is up to the farms to provide $500. Markets can use printing services to raise awareness of the programs and to help raise the funding. Some markets have also held special fundraisers, such as 5K races, to raise the money needed.
Richmond residents will soon benefit from the double dollars program, as the Downtown Richmond Farmers Market hopes to implement it by August.
Melodie Lincavage, the market manager, highlighted the benefits of the program to the Richmond Register. It does not cost the farmers anything, but increases their customer base by encouraging people who might not shop at the market to check it out. The hope is that the program will change people's perception of farmers’ markets, making them realise that they can be ideal for budget shopping.
