In dozens of counties throughout Utah, community members have access to fresh fruits and vegetables from their local farmer’s markets. Now, after a grant was awarded to Utahns Against Hunger, low-income families will have more fresh, local produce as well.
The grant will provide $10 per week to low-income customers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Gina Cornia from Utahns Against Hunger said these customers can then use their food stamps to purchase produce at farmers markets.
“The intent is that we will work with all of the markets who currently take SNAP benefits," Cornia said. "Hopefully, you know, they’ll all be interested in participating. Hopefully it’ll be a really simple process.”
The grant comes from the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program, which awards a total of $30 million to 31 projects every year. This grant became available from the 2014 Farm Bill. Utahns Against Hunger will collect data using the food stamps to report to the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program.
Cornia said the grant should have a variety of positive effects.
“That’s one of the really great things about it. I mean, it really is a win for everyone," she said. "We see this not only as a way to help low-income families get more fruits and vegetables in their diets, but also to increase traffic at farmer’s markets. And then it literally doubles the amount of money that’s available to farmers at farmer’s markets to increase their income.”