The chart below illustrates recent growth in the amount of SNAP benefits that are being used to purchase local foods. Although the majority of those federal dollars are still being spent at mass retailers, there has been remarkable growth in the number of families using their SNAP benefits to shop locally. It’s also important to note […]
USDA
Update your farmers’ market USDA listing by July 15
June 28, 2016 Categories
The USDA’s listing of farmers’ markets relies on market managers to update the listings, so this is one directory each market must update individually. With a lot of publicity coming down the pike for National Farmers’ Market Week (August 7-13, to be celebrated here as Maine Farmers’ Market Snapshot Week), now is the time to make […]
SNAP Nutrition Incentives: a Win-Win Initiative
June 27, 2016 CategoriesClick here to learn about Maine Harvest Bucks. No state has yet found a way to define “junk food” and effectively limit SNAP recipients from using their benefits for its purchase. Many farms and farmers’ markets in Maine accept SNAP benefits, and in those venues, the benefits are primarily used for healthy, local food options. […]
Maine Harvest Bucks workshops
April 22, 2016 CategoriesA series of Maine Harvest Bucks workshops and other preparations for year 2 of the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant program have kept us busy over the last couple of months. Below is the slideshow from the workshop, which includes links to various tools and templates available to help organize your market’s Maine Harvest Bucks […]
USDA advice on truck farming
February 21, 2013 CategoriesHere are some quotes from the USDA’s Yearbook of Agriculture from years gone by. Wise advice and as true today as ever. . . 1908 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. p.354 TRUCK FARMING The production of garden vegetables, commonly called truck farming, is one of the most intensive types of farming, and requires a […]
The Farmers’ Market WIC program
June 14, 2012 CategoriesThe Maine Department of Human Services and the Maine Department of Agriculture cooperate to sponsor the Maine WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. Using federal funding, these special WIC checks are given to folks who already qualify for the regular WIC checks, which are redeemable in stores for specified products. The Farmers’ Market WIC Checks are […]