Link Up Illinois Link Match Program

Link Up Illinois Link Match Incentive WHO WE ARE Partnership between Experimental Station, Illinois Farmers Market Association, and Wholesome Wave Started in 2011 1:1 match with a $25 cap Script used to administer incentive

What We Do Provide sub-grants to offer healthy food incentives on SNAP purchases. We work with farmers, farmers markets, and food co-ops to expand SNAP/EBT acceptance. In 2018, we provided funding, training and technical support to: 81 Illinois farmers markets 11 farm stands and urban farms 4 food cooperatives

How SNAP/Link Works at the Market 1. Link Card holder visits farmers market. 2. Farmer gives customer a “CHIT.” Holds items until paid for. Farmer John 01 $10.00 Apples 3. Customer takes to EBT tent to complete purchase. 5. Customer picks up items with paid receipt, can buy additional items with LINK Match! 4. EBT coordinator swipes Link card, gives customer paid receipt and additional incentive dollars.

Data Collected SNAP distributed and redeemed Link Match distributed and redeemed SNAP Transactions New to market WIC sales Zip codes Food Category %s Health Metrics Medicaid Provider Surveys Website & 800 # traffic Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel - CPS Roseland Farmers Market

New ‘We Link Match’ Branding Brochure Rack Card Posters General Yard Sign

Universal Currency Piloted in 2018, Link Up IL developed a transferable currency for Program Partners in Chicago. 31 farmers markets participated. Features included: Front - partner’s branding Rear - locations for redemption Earned and redeemed at any participating location Next season, we will move to one currency with only Link Up Illinois branding on front.

Outreach - Statewide Experimental Station, in partnership with the Illinois Farmers Market Association and Illinois Department of Human Services, produced 75,000 statewide brochures. Brochures listed the farmers markets, farm stands, and food cooperatives accepting SNAP, WIC, and Link Match. Flyers were sent to: Program Partners IDHS centers in IL Food Pantries WIC stores/offices Senior living facilities

Expansion of Markets 2011 - 2018 2011 22 markets 2012 35 markets 2013 19 markets 2014 39 markets 2015 61 markets 2016 78 markets 2017 88 markets 2018 96 markets

Expansion to Co-ops Began working with Bloomington in 2011. Began working with Green Top in 2017. Piloted interchangeable currency between Co-op and Farmers Market. Link Match earned at one location could be redeemed at either.

Total Federal Benefit sales SNAP + WIC S & FMNP 2011-2018 Contributing factors to lower SNAP redemption Fewer people on the SNAP roles in IL. People receiving SNAP in IL as of August 2017 - 1,869,067 2018 - 1,765,985 (difference of 103,082) Reduced SNAP benefits available in IL. SNAP benefits in IL as of August 2017 - $242,721,651 2018 - $226,734,524 (difference of $15,987,127)

SNAP Transactions 2011-2018

Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund in Illinois In 2013 coalition partners began the push for state legislation to support incentives at farmers markets. The most current bill signed in July 2018 establishes an annual $500,000 fund to support Healthy Food Incentives at Illinois farmers markets. Next goal: get $$$$ into the fund!

Thank You! Corey Chatman Link Up Illinois Senior Program Manager corey@experimentalstation.org 773-241-6044