By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
Rhode Island farmers will be getting a boost after the USDA awarded over $300,000 in grants to a local nonprofit to increase local produce purchases among SNAP program users.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island will receive $337,000 over the next three years to expand their incentive program offered to SNAP users to buy local produce at farmers markets. According to Rhode Island Food Policy Council, Farm Fresh’s “bonus buck” program has grown from $500 to over $80,000 in the past eight years.
“Bonus Bucks are a win-win for Rhode Island,” said Co-Executive Director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Sheri Griffin in a statement.
“They ensure that federal food benefit dollars support our state’s agricultural economy, while enabling our neighbors affected by poverty and food insecurity to share in the local bounty.”
Independent famer’s markets affiliated with the bonus bucks program is expected to rise to 25 this year, compared to just 13 markets last year.
