This winter, MFFM is hosting trainings for Maine Harvest Bucks (MHB) markets to orient and inspire the program organizers for the coming 2018 season. The trainings are occuring at an opportune and transitional moment for MHB, as the initial three year federal grant that funded the incentive program comes to an end. After three years […]
Low income access
2018 Maine Harvest Bucks Application & Program Update
January 22, 2018 CategoriesProgram Description: For the past 3 years, much of this program was funded via the USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant, in partnership with Wholesome Wave. During this time, the Maine Harvest Bucks brand has grown to be recognized by SNAP shoppers, farmers, and community members. Markets that offer Maine Harvest Bucks are welcoming to […]
Fundraising for SNAP and Maine Harvest Bucks in 2018
January 19, 2018 CategoriesSmall markets The majority of the MHB markets have less than $500 in redemption from April to June. For these markets, fundraising may be as simple as: Start a fundraiser on your FB page Ask friends, family, regular shoppers, local stores, a church, local nonprofits; Dine out to donate: engage the restaurant community; these are often […]
Shopping Local on a Budget
January 19, 2018 Categories5:30 to 8pm February 15, 2018 Nokomis HS, Newport Reserve your spot: email snap@mffm.org or call 487 7114 Join MFFM, Maine SNAP-Ed, and University of Maine Cooperative Extension for an evening focused on shopping for Maine-grown food for people on a limited budget. This class will cover all the different places to shop for local […]
Convention Sponsorship Boosts SNAP-programming at Farmers’ Markets
January 19, 2018 CategoriesMFFM is grateful to have found a new partner for this year’s Maine Farmers’ Market Convention focused on equity and low-income food access. The New England Grassroots Environment Fund (NEGEF) provided a sponsorship that enabled farmers and community members working to support Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) access at farmers’ markets to come to the […]
Saco River Winter Market Launches Maine Harvest Bucks
December 11, 2017 CategoriesJust two days after Thanksgiving, the Saco River Winter Market (SRWM) in Biddeford launched its Maine Harvest Bucks program. Now SNAP shoppers in Biddeford, Saco and other nearby towns can stretch their limited SNAP benefits in the coldest and costliest time of the year (one study finds 1 in 3 low-income families face limiting their […]
Nourish families and friendships this Giving Tuesday
November 26, 2017 CategoriesYou may have noticed that MFFM adopted a new tagline last summer: “Nourishing the roots of our communities.” Those roots include the historic tradition of rural farmers bringing goods to public spaces in Maine towns and cities. They include generations bonding over the sharing of recipes and food preparation tips. And those roots include Mainers […]
Maine Harvest Bucks: Good public policy.
November 17, 2017 CategoriesFresh fruits and vegetables matter. Research has shown that with many diseases, including cancer, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart and lung disease, the consumption of fruits and vegetables play a large role as preventative medicine. While treatment for diabetes is a tough pill to swallow (often involving many, many pills), the way to prevent the […]
Maine Harvest Bucks wraps up at Summer Markets
October 27, 2017 CategoriesWhen you see Maine Harvest Bucks (MHB) at farmers’ markets, consider how this program is the product of an organized effort among farmers, vendors, volunteers and community partners at each of the 31 farmers’ markets across the state. Because of their work, eating local is more accessible, easy and affordable for low-income Mainers receiving SNAP/EBT. […]
SNAP and WIC at Farmers’ Markets
October 17, 2017 CategoriesThis slideshow provides a brief overview of SNAP and WIC at Maine farmers’ markets.