Families visiting the Ark City Farm and Art Market and Walnut Valley Farmers Market can now bring home more healthy food! The Cowley Farmers Market Association (CFMA) launched the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program in 2021 thanks to the leadership of the Family Consumer Science and SNAP-Ed Agent, Becky Reid and Nutrition Educator, Ruth Bumgarter! SNAP recipient users can double their benefits up to $25 per market visit in extra tokens to be used only for locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Prior to 2020 SNAP-EBT wasn’t accepted at the markets so families could not use their SNAP dollars to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables. Becky Reid, Family Consumer Science and SNAP-Ed Agent worked with market vendors to combine two markets into one market association, called the Cowley Farmers Market Association. The goal of this association was to get EBT and DUFB systems established. SNAP-EBT was first accepted at the local markets in July 2020.
The DUFB program was offered at 18 market stalls at two market sites. A total of $5,574 was distributed through SNAP-EBT and DUFB tokens and $4,342 was redeemed. The program benefits customers, vendors, the markets, and community. When customers use their EBT card to shop at the market, they get a dollar-for-dollar match in DUFB tokens, up to $25 per market day.
"The Double Up Food Bucks program has been great. I've always wanted to be able to shop for local produce at the farmers market and now I can." - SNAP-EBT customer
SNAP-Ed Educator Ruth Bumgarner and Family Consumer Science and SNAP-Ed Agent, Becky Reid partnered with local Extension Master Gardeners to deliver a Virtual Family Night to Cowley County Head Start families. Forty-two households participated in the event. The event included:
- Meal planning with garden produce
- Cilantro tasting
- Seed planting activity
- Hands-on guacamole demonstration.
- Promotion of SNAP-Ed class opportunities
As a result of this recruiting effort, two participants enrolled and completed the online Eat Smart, Move More and five families came to the farmers market. The SNAP-Ed nutrition educator was present at two markets to interact with EBT customers, promote future classes, and answer questions.
The Cowley Farmers Market Association signed a pledge to continue the DUFB program for 5 years through the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. They received a $5,000 grant to support and promote the Double Up Food Bucks program.
For more information contact
Lisa Ross, MPH, RD, LD, Coordinator
