Gus Schumacher from Wholesome Wave presented this slide show during the workshop titled "SNAP-UP: Food Stamp Incentive Programs at Farmers' Markets"

1. Double Value Coupon Program
nourishing neighborhoods

2. Doubles the sale of locally grown, fresh foods
(may include fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats,
herbs, honey and grains depending on the
program) for customers who utilize their
federal food benefits.
• These benefits include
– SNAP
– WIC fresh fruit and veggie vouchers
– Farmers’ Market Promotion Program
(WIC and Senior)
– Supplemental Security
Income/Disability

3. What is the purpose of the Incentive?
• The incentive program provides a triple
bounce—serving customer, vendor and
neighborhood simultaneously!
 Customers get: twice as much fresh produce,
improving family health
 Farmers get: a new customer base and more
revenue per transaction
 Neighborhoods get: thriving markets that better
serve the broader community.

4. FROM FARM TO FAMILY
TRANSLATINGEBT SALES TOFAMILYIMPACT
16,000 lbs, or 8
tons of produce to
market for food
stamp recipients*
200 lbs of produce for
80 families, or 2
additional daily
servings of local fruits
and vegetables per
family of three for 20
weeks
4
New business
opportunities for
distribution
$10,000
Double Value
Incentive
Microgrant =
$20K to farmers
for increased
agricultural
production
**Based on 10 Week Market Example, and
at average price per pound of $1.25

5. 5
What are
outcomes?
We’ve seen this program
transform markets!

6. INCENTIVE PROGRAMS WORK
SNAP/EBTSALESINCREASESFROM2008TO2009
0%
100%
200%
300%
400%
500%
600%
700%
800%
Rhode Island Holyoke Chicago Boston
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY RESIDENTS OF DIVERSE
ETHNICITY HAVE RESPONDED TO AFFORDABILITY

9. How does it work on market day?
• Each market has established its own
procedures but generally:
• Eligible customers arrive at the market and visit the
DVCP booth to receive their incentive
• Staff either scan SNAP card or stamp FMNP voucher
• Staff provide incentive in the form of coupons or
tokens
• Customer shops at eligible vendors utilizing both the
federal dollars and incentive dollars
• Farmers turn in coupons/tokens to
DVCP staff at the end of market day
• Staff mail a check to farmers for their
total incentive sales

10. What happens “behind the scenes”?
• Training: making sure each vendor
understands the program and their
eligibility to participate
• Outreach: spreading the word via
customers, partners, fliers, etc.
• Accounting: tracking of disbursements,
redemption and cutting checks to
vendors.
• Data: building the case for program
sustainability through tracking farmer
revenue and redemption of benefits

11. How can we build on this?
• Expanded DVCP: Leveraging further diversified funding;
affecting more communities
• Nourished Neighborhood Incubators: Integrating affordable
access to fresh food with diverse resources (social services,
local businesses, community services) in safe public spaces.
• Fruit and Veggie Rx: providing community members with
healthy food resources and monitoring the effect on individual
health