Use of Food Stamps in Farmers Markets Doubles

by Mike Smith · 2009-11-24 07:26:00 UTC
Topics:

Sales of farmers markets produce paid for using food stamps doubled this year in New York City. Though it still only comprises 0.1 per cent of total food stamp purchases the increase indicates an eagerness for fresh food and good produce. City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn explained to the Times that “I would like the goal over my next term to get it to $1 million per year.”

The program only runs at 23 markets, and only for part of the year, but two markets alone accounted for one third of the sales. Farmers markets are not an elitist indulgence, but a desired and often affordable source of food. The two markets did so well because they were located in communities that have a severe lack of supermarkets and grocery stores. This a problem we've encountered and discussed before: the shameful "Food Deserts": a situation often found in poor neighborhoods that lack access to reasonably priced healthy food.

The United States Department of Agriculture is so pleased with the food stamp and markets scheme that it will be expanding the scheme nationwide. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene meanwhile will give a bonus of $2 for every $5 spent at some markets to encourage more people to eat fruit and veg. Food deserts may yet become oases of fresh and healthy produce.

Photo: Ed Yourdon

Mike Smith
PREVIOUS STORY:
Get Local with the 100-Mile Thanksgiving
NEXT STORY:
Join the Social Media Day of Action to Rid Girl Scout Cookies of Forest-Destroying Palm Oil

COMMENTS (1)

    Comment Policy

    · All fields are required to comment.

    [X]

    Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the campaign on Change.org. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments which, as determined solely in our discretion: (1) are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; (2) include content solely intended to personally attack the campaign creator, (3) are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them; and/or (4) violate our terms of service and/or privacy policy. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion. Please also be advised that: (A) we do not actively curate and/or monitor in any manner whatsoever the comments made on the Change.org platform, and (B) the creator of each campaign on Change.org may remove any comment at her/his/its discretion.