Local Nonprofit Rises to the Occasion
- Portland Observer
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Farmers Market Fund Expands SNAP Access
Farmers Market Fund (FMF) announced that it will be offering a temporary, adapted program to connect Oregonians with SNAP to fresh, locally grown produce at over 40 farmers markets and farm stands across the state. This adaptation comes as over 750,000 Oregonians are experiencing a delay in their SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.
This program, called Emergency Double Up Food Bucks, will offer shoppers with an Oregon Trail Card $20 to spend on fresh produce, regardless of if they have a SNAP balance available or not. Emergency Double Up Food Bucks can be used to purchase fresh, locally grown produce including beans, mushrooms, herbs and veggie starts. Shoppers can visit www.doubleuporegon.org for more details and a list of participating locations.
“Even with the recent court ruling, thousands of Oregonians are going to experience a delay in receiving their November SNAP benefits” says Farmers Market Fund’s Executive Director, Rachael Ward. “We are rooting down to rise up and asking Oregonians to step up and support their neighbors, while supporting the small farmers and local economies that depend on SNAP.”
Funding for Double Up Food Bucks where a SNAP transaction is made is provided through a state allocation from the Oregon Department of Human Services. Emergency Double Up Food Bucks, which only requires that customers show their Oregon Trail card to receive $20, is privately funded through individuals and FMF general funds. To support this program please donate directly to Farmers Market Fund at https://farmersmarketfund.org/donate/
For shoppers who have at least $1 in SNAP on their Oregon Trail card they can visit any of Farmers Market Fund’s participating farmers markets and receive $20 in Double Up Food Bucks to spend on fresh produce including beans, plant starts, and fresh herbs.
For shoppers who have SNAP but do not have any benefits on their card, they can bring their Oregon Trail card to any of our participating markets, show it at the market information booth and automatically receive $20 in Emergency Double Up Food Bucks to spend on fresh produce including beans, plant starts, and fresh herbs.
At farm stands, shoppers with SNAP can receive $20 to spend on fresh produce, even if they have a $0 balance on their Oregon Trail card. For those who do have remaining SNAP funds they can also receive a 50% discount on fresh produce per day.
Visit www.doubleuporegon.org for more details and a list of participating locations.