SNAP Program at CIWM

Grocery shoppers can now use their federal food benefits to buy fresh, local food at the Corvallis Indoor Winter Market. Adults and families who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called food stamps) can use their Oregon Trail card at the farmers’ market to purchase fruits and vegetables, plant starts, meat, dairy and bread. Through Ten Rivers Food Web’s That’s My Farmer SNAP Incentive Program, people who spend at least $6 of their SNAP benefits at the market will receive an extra $6 in market tokens that are redeemable for fresh foods.

Hunger is a persistent issue in Corvallis and Benton County. Over 10,000 county residents, including 3,000 children, rely on SNAP each month. Despite the assistance, many people still cannot afford healthy, fresh food – SNAP benefits cover less than half the cost of an average meal. The That’s My Farmer SNAP Incentive Program helps low-income shoppers stretch their benefits and put more fresh fruits and vegetables on their families’ tables.

Dan Rejto, an AmeriCorps VISTA with Ten Rivers Food Web, says, “Since the SNAP incentive program was piloted in the Corvallis outdoor market, the number of low-income people buying fresh food each week from local vendors has increased by 177%.” To keep funding this program Zia will be selling coffee at the Corvallis Indoor Winter Market with all the proceeds funding the SNAP incentive. Stop by and buy some warm coffee.