fresh bucks in seattle increased purchasing power for low-income shoppers
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FRESH BUCKS IN SEATTLEIncreased Purchasing Power for Low-Income Shoppers
Fresh Bucks Defined:
Now in it’s 3rd year, Fresh Bucks is a SNAP-matching program at 16 Seattle Farmers Markets and 2 P-Patch Market Garden Farm Stands.
Fresh Bucks matches for produce purchases only, including fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, and vegetable starts.
Matching funds are provided $2:$2, up to a total of $10 per shopper per market per day. If shoppers want to go to multiple markets in one day, they can
receive a match at all open markets for each day of the week. Fresh Bucks is available as markets are open from May
through December, 2014. Fresh Bucks is a collaborative effort between the City of
Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, the Washington State Farmers Market Association, and four farmers market organizations in Seattle
How Fresh Bucks Works:
Why Fresh Bucks?:
Increased purchasing power for low-income shoppers, as well as purchase and consumption of fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables.
Fresh Bucks puts dollars directly into local farmers’ pockets, investing in our state’s rural economy.
By encouraging low-income shoppers to use local farmers markets, farmers markets retain viability as positive community spaces and marketplaces for direct-marketing farmers.
Fresh Bucks History:
Pilot in 2012 with 7 markets operated by a single market organization.
JPMorgan Chase provided founding funding via the Seattle Foundation.
Fresh Bucks increased SNAP sales at pilot markets by up to 85% during pilot season.
2013 season expanded to 8 more markets and three additional market organization partners with funding from JPMorgan Chase and the City of Seattle.
The initial 2013 Fresh Bucks season of July-October was expanded for markets that remained open through December 31.
JPMorgan Chase has returned as a partner, however the City of Seattle has stepped in with a greater commitment to Fresh Bucks, tripling 2013’s funding.
Fresh Bucks 2013 Highlights: Partner University of Washington Center
for Public Health Nutrition ran surveys at the majority of Fresh Bucks locations in 2013: 90% of Fresh Bucks survey respondents
reported that they consumed more fruits and vegetables as a result of the program.
95% of Fresh Bucks survey respondents reported that the program made a difference in their family’s diets.
Over 3,000 individuals shoppers participated in 2013, receiving $70,000 in Fresh Bucks currency.
2014 Participating Farmers Markets:
MONFirst Hill (NEW!): 10am-2pm; Seneca St & Terry AveTUESCity Hall: 10am-2pm; 4th Ave btwn James & CherryWEDPioneer Square: 10am-2pm; Occidental &Washington Columbia City: 3-7pm; S Edmund St & 37th Ave S Wallingford: 3:30-7pm; N 50th St & Meridian Ave N High Point Farm Stand: 4-7pm; 32nd Ave SW & JuneauTHURSSouth Lake Union: 10am-2pm; Terry Ave N & HarrisonLake City: 3-7pm; NE 125th St & 28th Ave NE Queen Anne: 3-7:30pm; Queen Anne & W Crockett
FRIPhinney: 3-7pm; N 67th St and Phinney Ave N Pike Place: 10am-4pm; Pike Place Market Madrona: 3-7pm; Grocery Outlet, MLK & E Union St New Holly Farm Stand: 4-7pm; 42nd S & S Rockery SATMagnolia: 10am-2pm; W McGraw St & 33rd Ave W Pike Place: 10am-4pm; Pike Place Market University District: 9am-2pm; University Wy & NE 50th StSUNBallard: 10am-3:00pm; Ballard Ave NW & 22nd Ave NW Broadway: 11am-3pm; Broadway Ave & E Pine St Pike Place: 10am-4pm; Pike Place Market West Seattle: 10am-2pm; 44th Ave SW & SW Alaska St
Questions?
www.wafarmersmarkets.com/foodaccess/freshbucks
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