Maine Harvest Bucks helps over 10,000 households across Maine access and enjoy the abundance of farmers’ markets. When shoppers spend their SNAP/EBT funds on local food, they earn bonus bucks to buy produce and seedlings – effectively doubling their SNAP. MHB shoppers report less reliance on food pantries, discovering new food items, and feeling healthier thanks to the program. Help us nourish Maine, build community, and fight food insecurity today by donating to our 2025 fundraising campaign.
At more than 80 farmers’ markets and farm stands across the state, we set up the systems, file the paperwork, provide staffing and support, and advocate for and raise the funds to make this program work! Your donation makes it all possible.
Last year, Maine Harvest Bucks program brought over $680,000.00 in direct sales to Maine farmers and market vendors. It makes up an estimated average 10% of vegetable farmers’ sales at participating markets across the state, with it being more than 50% of vendors’ sales at some rural markets. Maine Harvest Bucks is a lifeline of stability for Mainers dealing with food insecurity and farmers alike.
At any given time, 12-13% of Maine’s population uses SNAP for groceries. That’s around 170,000 people, 66% of whom are kids under 18 and senior citizens. More than half of people who use SNAP recieve benefits for less than a year. SNAP is a stopgap that helps people gain stability, avoid the worst effects of food insecurity, and rely less on food pantries. With Maine Harvest Bucks, shoppers can stretch limited SNAP funds by earning matching vouchers for local produce. It’s a win-win for communities all across the state!
In the midst of this year’s turmoil so far, it’s more important than ever that we raise enough funds to keep this vital program going. But it’s also a special year: June 2025 marks 10 whole years of the Maine Harvest Bucks program! In that time, we’ve grown it from 22 markets, to now 50 farmers’ markets plus 34 farm stands in underserved areas. We’ve paid farmers and producers more than $3,750,000 in SNAP and Maine Harvest Bucks redemption. And the program is growing steadily.
Where has all that money come from?
- We’ve applied for, won, and reported for more than 15 major grants to directly fund Maine Harvest Bucks, with many more smaller grants to help cover operating costs.
- We’ve built complimentary programs like Bumper Crop to help stabilize the Maine Harvest Bucks Fund, expand and normalize voucher use at farmers’ markets, and increase food access for other demographics.
- We’ve invested in building a network of shoppers and community members who help us spread the word and connect us to donors. Part of the funding for Maine Harvest Bucks comes from the state Nutrition Incentive Fund, which we’ve organized and advocated for a dozen times in Augusta.
But we still need to fundraise for $250,000 annually to keep Maine Harvest Bucks stable and meet the needs of shoppers and farmers.
Right now, we’re asking you to help us fundraise $25,000, or 10% of our current need. If we could get 2,500 people to give just $10 for this 10 year celebration, we’d meet our goal!
MFFM is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit–we’ll automatically send you a receipt. Every dollar helps Mainers dealing with food insecurity and supports local farmers and food producers.
EVERYONE should be able to eat the amazing food we have at the farmers’ market. Can you help support our work?
Looking for other ways to get involved in supporting Maine farmers’ markets and local food access?
- Follow us on social media: Facebook or Instagram
- Sign up for our monthly email newsletter.
- Buy Bumper Crop farmers’ market gift certificates, or get your workplace signed up to use Bumper Crop as an employee wellness benefit.
- Stay informed of in-person opportunities to volunteer with our signup form.
- Businesses and organizations interested in helping can consider our Sponsorship Guide.