1. Link Up Illinois Link Match Program

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

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

7. 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.

8. 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

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

10. 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.

11. 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
,869,067
,765,985 (difference of 103,082)
Reduced SNAP benefits available in IL.
SNAP benefits in IL as of August
$242,721,651
$226,734,524 (difference of $15,987,127)

12. SNAP Transactions

13. 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 establishes an annual $500,000 fund to support Healthy Food Incentives at Illinois farmers markets. Next goal: get $$$$ into the fund!

14. Thank You!
Corey Chatman Link Up Illinois Senior Program Manager