You probably already know that we accept SNAP EBT payments at our market, and maybe you know that SNAP users can double their money when they buy Florida-grown produce through a program called Fresh Access Bucks (FAB). But do you know who’s using those SNAP benefits?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 76% of SNAP households enrolled in SNAP include a child, a senior, or someone who is disabled. 44% of SNAP recipients are 18 or younger. In 2005, SNAP boosted 2.4 million children out of severe poverty! Additionally, “each $1 billion of retail generated by SNAP creates $340 million in farm production, $110 million in farm value-added, and 3,300 farm jobs.” That’s pretty important to us farmers!
One of our goals here at Sweetwater is to make fresh, healthy food accessible to everyone! That’s why we not only offer SNAP and FAB benefits at our market, but every month, we host a free cooking demo using Sweetwater-grown produce as part of a nationwide nutrition program called SNAP-Ed. We hope that by giving attendees some quick, inexpensive meal ideas, SNAP recipients (or anyone!) will be able to go home and cook these nutritious meals for their families. Join us on the last Sunday of each month at 1pm!
Most of the statistics here came from snaptohealth.org. If you have questions about the program, call 1-800-221-5689 or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap.
