With
an ever growing number of people depending on food assistance programs
the participation and sales for the SNAP program, the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the federal Food Stamp Program),
at the Forsyth Farmers Market has seen a nearly 900 % increase since its
acceptance debut in 2009.
The number of people participating in SNAP in the United States exploded in May 2011, the US population was 312,240,000 people in mid May 2011 of which 45,753,078 were on food stamps; many made up of families with children. That is 14.7% of all Americans on food assistance programs with an average monthly amount of $133.80. (Source: CNN money).
USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program, is the Nation's largest domestic food and nutrition assistance program for low-income Americans. The overall record numbers are showing an increase of 12% up from a year ago, and 34% higher than two years ago.
Taking these numbers in consideration the Forsyth Farmers Market is showing a tremendous success in promoting healthy farm-fresh produce and food items to SNAP participants. The sales from SNAP thru EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards are showing an estimated 900 % increase since the start of the program at the Forsyth Farmers market in 2009.
The overall EBT sales in 2009 at the markets totaled a mere $ 1425.00. In 2010 the number went up to $4167.00 for the all market season; since the start of the market in early April 2011 the EBT sales are averaging $ 465.00 per week, which will accumulate into over $13,000.00 by the end of the season.
One of the great selling points for SNAP shoppers is a program incentive created by the Wholesome Wave Foundation (http://wholesomewave.org/), which doubles up to $25.00 for EBT sales when items are bought at participating farmers markets. Even with such incentives to increase SNAP recipients' access to wholesome foods, just a small fraction of SNAP benefits, one-hundredth of a percent, is spent at farmer's markets overall. "This is where our education and community outreach programs come into place", states Kristin Russell, one of the founders of the FFM -"We strive to inform our shoppers, including SNAP participants, of the health benefits of farm fresh food that is in season and not frozen or processed. We hope to encourage more EBT sales thru the "double up" program so families can profit from stretching their food dollars while buying wholesome, nourishing food in a system that benefits local economies and the environment".
To learn more about the Program and other incentives offered though the FFM stop at the Market manager's tent at the entrance to the Forsyth Farmers Market. The Forsyth Farmers Market, a Savannah fixture since 2009, has grown in 2011 to over 25 vendors and nearly doubled their weekly customer attendance.
The Forsyth Farmers Market takes place each Saturday at the South End of Forsyth Park from 9 AM - 1 PM.
For more information regarding the Forsyth Farmer's Market as well as high-resolution photography, please visit
www.forsythfarmersmarket.org
The number of people participating in SNAP in the United States exploded in May 2011, the US population was 312,240,000 people in mid May 2011 of which 45,753,078 were on food stamps; many made up of families with children. That is 14.7% of all Americans on food assistance programs with an average monthly amount of $133.80. (Source: CNN money).
USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program, is the Nation's largest domestic food and nutrition assistance program for low-income Americans. The overall record numbers are showing an increase of 12% up from a year ago, and 34% higher than two years ago.
Taking these numbers in consideration the Forsyth Farmers Market is showing a tremendous success in promoting healthy farm-fresh produce and food items to SNAP participants. The sales from SNAP thru EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards are showing an estimated 900 % increase since the start of the program at the Forsyth Farmers market in 2009.
The overall EBT sales in 2009 at the markets totaled a mere $ 1425.00. In 2010 the number went up to $4167.00 for the all market season; since the start of the market in early April 2011 the EBT sales are averaging $ 465.00 per week, which will accumulate into over $13,000.00 by the end of the season.
One of the great selling points for SNAP shoppers is a program incentive created by the Wholesome Wave Foundation (http://wholesomewave.org/), which doubles up to $25.00 for EBT sales when items are bought at participating farmers markets. Even with such incentives to increase SNAP recipients' access to wholesome foods, just a small fraction of SNAP benefits, one-hundredth of a percent, is spent at farmer's markets overall. "This is where our education and community outreach programs come into place", states Kristin Russell, one of the founders of the FFM -"We strive to inform our shoppers, including SNAP participants, of the health benefits of farm fresh food that is in season and not frozen or processed. We hope to encourage more EBT sales thru the "double up" program so families can profit from stretching their food dollars while buying wholesome, nourishing food in a system that benefits local economies and the environment".
To learn more about the Program and other incentives offered though the FFM stop at the Market manager's tent at the entrance to the Forsyth Farmers Market. The Forsyth Farmers Market, a Savannah fixture since 2009, has grown in 2011 to over 25 vendors and nearly doubled their weekly customer attendance.
The Forsyth Farmers Market takes place each Saturday at the South End of Forsyth Park from 9 AM - 1 PM.
For more information regarding the Forsyth Farmer's Market as well as high-resolution photography, please visit
www.forsythfarmersmarket.org