State increases buying power for SNAP recipients at farmers’ markets

File photo: Tracy Jennings (left) of Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels and Rose Baker of Baker Farms in Medina chat in November at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina. The market moved indoors for the winter at the former NAPA Auto Parts store on North Main Street.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new initiative that will double the buying power for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients at farmers’ markets across New York State.

The FreshConnect Fresh2You program will now provide eligible New Yorkers with a dollar-for-dollar match, which will allow families in need to purchase more healthy food, including produce, dairy and meats.

This new initiative will help to offset the recent reduction in SNAP benefits that were a part of pandemic relief efforts as well as record inflation costs, provide increased revenue for New York’s farmers, and boost local food sourcing while eliminating food scarcity, which are among the goals outlined in the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal and her State of the State address.

“New York has taken significant steps to develop strong, mutually-beneficial relationships between local farmers and the communities they feed,” Governor Hochul said. “The new Fresh2You initiative will help ensure New Yorkers have more money to spend on healthy foods like dairy, meat, produce and more, while creating greater health outcomes, an economic boost to New York’s farmers and a stronger food supply chain.”

The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative will now provide SNAP beneficiaries at participating farmers’ markets with $2 checks for every $2 spent as part of the SNAP program, up from $2 for every $5 spent.

This new initiative is part of the long-standing FreshConnect Checks Program, which is administered by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. It helps expand access to fresh food in underserved communities, to improve the diet of individuals in those communities and to foster economic development by supporting local farmers. By allowing the purchase of dairy products, meats and more in addition to the purchase of fruits and vegetables, the FreshConnect program supports even more farmers across New York State.

Any farmer or vendor who is selling a SNAP-eligible food item at any farmers’ market, farm stand or mobile market operating in New York State may accept a FreshConnect Check and now take part in the Fresh2You initiative. Checks can be used to purchase dairy, produce, meats, fish, eggs and more.

The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative will launch and be available to consumers April 15. Market operators will also be receiving new marketing materials and training on the new initiative.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are excited to launch this new match program, understanding the significance of what this will mean to New York consumers and farmers alike. It will increase access to nutritious healthy foods, which will also have a direct benefit to our farmers and producers. I thank Governor Hochul for making this possible, and for her commitment to New York agriculture and strengthening the local food system.”

In addition to SNAP consumers, the FreshConnect Checks program is also available to veterans, service members and their immediate families to use the benefits at New York State farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets. Veterans can receive $50 in FreshConnect coupons this year from New York State Department of Veterans’ Services offices.

About Farmers’ Markets in New York State

Farmers’ markets fill an essential gap in New York’s local food supply chains by improving access to and encouraging consumption of locally grown foods and supporting direct farmer-to-consumer transactions. Farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets are crucial components to a healthy food system.

Today, New York has more than 400 farmers’ markets, 250 farm stands and 10 mobile markets. They provide outlets for agricultural producers to meet the rising consumer demand for a variety of fresh, affordable and convenient products grown directly from the farm.

The Department of Agriculture oversees the FreshConnect Checks (FCC) Program and the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP), and maintains a list of farmers’ markets, farm stands, and mobile markets that participate in these programs.

Key

• “FMNP Accepted” – A market that is authorized by the Department to participate in FMNP.
• “FCC Issued” – A market that issues FreshConnect Checks to SNAP EBT card users.
• “FCC Accepted” – A market that has vendors that may accept but does not issue FreshConnect Checks.
• “SNAP Accepted” – A market where customers enrolled in SNAP may use their benefits.

Editor’s Note: The Department of Agriculture lists these farmers’ markets in Orleans County:

• Canal Village Farmers’ Market, 345 Main St., Medina, open Saturdays year-round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – SNAP accepted, FMNP accepted, FCC issued and FCC accepted
• Circle R Farm Market, 13490 Roosevelt Hwy, Waterport, open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May 1-October 31 – FMNP accepted and FCC accepted
• Lori’s Market Basket Farm Stand, 51 State St., Holley, open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1-November 30 – FCC accepted
• Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses, 3272 Eagle Harbor Rd., Albion, open year-round from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SNAP accepted and FCC accepted
• Roberts Farm Market, 11170 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina, open year-round Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with winter hours Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – FCC accepted
• Saeva Farm Stand, 3715 Eagle Harbor Rd., Albion, open year-round daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – FCC accepted