Connecting Farmers and Low-Income Consumers Closing the Hunger Gap Portland, Oregon September, 2015

Challenges to Eating Good Food

Double Up Food Bucks in Michigan From 2009 to 2015, the number of farmers’ markets and groceries using SNAP & Double Up – incentivizing produce sales and consumption – has grown from 5 to more than 150.

SNAP Shoppers Like DUFB Comparing DUFB to the other food stores in their neighborhoods: 70% say the food purchased with DUFB is cheaper 85% say the quality is better 85% say the selection is better 95% say the farmers’ market is easy to get to “ It stretches my food budget. I don’t have to make the choice between bread and beets; I can get both.” Allen Street Farmers’ Market customer, Lansing, Michigan

Rural Markets: Economic Impact In 41 towns less than 20,000 population In 14 towns with 20,000 – 50,0000 $510,077 from July – October with economic of $1 million

Growth of SNAP in Michigan Farmers’ Markets

% of SNAP Sales in Farmers’ Markets

States Authorizing Farmers to Accept WIC Cash Value Vouchers

WIC EBT Activity – March 2015

Helping Nutrition Dollars Do More while Creating Stronger Communities Reduce hunger Improve health Increase economic activity & opportunity Build healthy environments & culture

Integrated Mobile Payments – Kent County, MI SNAP + WIC

Double Up Mobile Payment System Farmers’ market is authorized but all purchases are made directly with the vendor. Advantages of Mobile Payment: All records are online Less administrative work Transactions are more secure Better tracking of program use

Integrated Mobile Payment System Requirements Good Internet access Mobile machines for each vendor Waiver of SNAP receipt requirement Collaboration of WIC & SNAP agencies Strong farmers’ market group

Integrated Mobile Payment System Challenges Internet hot spot inadequate iPod Touch too small for many vendors Software design flaws Transactions time-consuming compared to tokens Expensive – grant support & funding has run out Transaction report format not ideal But it’s getting better with time.

Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program Competitive grants for NGOs and government agencies to support produce incentive programs for SNAP participants $100 million 2014 – 2018 Requires $1 : $1 match Three grant categories Grants may be for up to 4 years First round of applications for $31.5 million due December 15

For More Information Kate Fitzgerald: (202)