Starting on the September 5th the Capital City Farmers Market will begin doubling (up to an additional $10) “market cash” purchased by EBT card customers at market. The Harvest Health Coupon Project (HHCP) is a coupon incentive project designed to encourage more 3SquaresVT customers to utilize their EBT cards at farmers’ market. The Capital City Farmers Market in Montpelier will be offering this coupon to 3SquaresVT customers at Saturday markets during September and October. The project is generously funded by Wholesome Wave Foundation and the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation and is being administered by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. Currently, customers can use their EBT cards to purchase “market cash” in the form of wooden tokens, which can be used to purchase any eligible food item from farmers market vendors. State and National participation in the 3SquaresVT/SNAP program are at an all time high, with more than 37,000 Vermont households receiving SNAP benefits, a 33% increase from last year. (http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/30SNAPcurrHH.htm). By participating in this program, the Capital City Farmers Market hopes to :
- Encourage more low income Vermonters to visit and shop at farmers’ markets;
- Help 3SquaresVT participants purchase more locally grown, nutrient-dense foods;
- Support the local agricultural economy by building stronger direct market relationships between farmers’ market vendors and Vermont consumers; and
- Expand the customer base for Vermont farmers’ market vendors.
The Capital City Farmers Market will be distributing fliers promoting the program next week, with hopes that many 3SquaresVT customers will make use of this opportunity to double their dollars at the farmers market.
