Program to double purchasing power of federal nutrition programs at Kentucky farmers’ markets expands; now at 27 locations

Kentuckians receiving government nutritional assistance can double their spending power, up to $10 a day, if they shop at one of 25 local farmers’ markets or two Fresh Stops Markets in Lexington that are participating in the “Double Dollars” program for those in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps), the Women, Infants and Children program or the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

Warren Beeler, center, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, presents a proclamation from Gov. Matt Bevin declaring Aug. 7-13 Farmers’ Market Week in Kentucky. Also pictured are, from left: Kelly Munson, senior vice president, WellCare Health Plans; Dr. Connie White, deputy commissioner, state Department for Public Health; Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles; Carol Baumann, chair of the Community Farm Alliance board; CFA executive director Martin Richards; and John Johnson, USDA. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)

The state Agricultural Development Board recently authorized more than $78,000 to support the Community Farm Alliance, which administers the Double Dollars program and funds on-site managers for the state’s farmers markets. WellCare Health Plans of Kentucky donated $6,000 and the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services contributed an additional $5,500.

The program began with six markets in 2014. Surveys of users showed that people using the program felt they were eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and felt more educated about healthy eating. CFA’s Martin Richards said it has been popular with both the markets and families using it.

“In many rural Kentucky communities, 25 percent of the population participates in these nutritional programs,” Richards said in a news release. “Double Dollars helps draw these people to the wholesome, fresh food of farmers markets, which is good for them and good for our farmers.”

Kelly Munson, senior vice president of WellCare, said, “We know healthier people not only save money on health care but are better able to obtain or retain employment. This program helps Kentucky families in the most straightforward way possible – by putting healthy food on the table.”

Double Dollars are available at the following markets: Bardstown Road Farmers Market, Louisville; Berea Farmers Market Cooperative, South Point Farmers Market, Louisville; Bounty of the Barrens Farmers Market, Glasgow; Boyle County Farmers Market; Community Farmers Market, Bowling Green; Cumberland County Farmers Market, Farmers Market on the Square, Columbia; Franklin County Farmers Market; Gateway Farmers Market (SoKY Marketplace), Bowling Green; Gray Street Farmers Market, Louisville; Jackson County Farmers Market; Knox County Farmers Market; Magoffin County Farmers Market; Metcalfe County Farmers Market; Owen County Farm and Craft Market; Perry County Farmers Market; Phoenix Hill-NuLu Farmers Market, Louisville; Winchester-Clark County Farmers Market; Whitesburg-Letcher County Farmers Market; Downtown Richmond Farmers Market; and five Lexington Farmers Market locations.

For more information about Kentucky’s farmers markets, visit the Kentucky Department of Agriculture at kyagr.com/marketing/farmers-market.html.
For more information about the Double Dollar Program visit the Community Farm Alliance at cfaky.org/what-we-do/fmsp/.