We’re Fundraising for Food Access!

August 2025 Update: The information below is accurate for most years, but this year we are now facing a $400,000+ funding loss, due to a federal Nutrition Incentive grant being closed. This represents about half of what we need to fully fund Maine Harvest Bucks. As a result we have had to reduce our matching bonus bucks by 50%. On top of national cuts to SNAP and other anti-hunger programs, this is a devastating loss to the 10,000+ Maine households who use Maine Harvest Bucks to shop directly with farmers. It is also a significant loss to farmers’ sales, especially in rural and underserved areas of our state. Please read on to learn more about the program as it normally runs, and consider helping us mitigate the damage.

Maine Harvest Bucks helps over 10,000 low-income households across Maine access and enjoy the abundance of farmers’ markets. When shoppers spend their SNAP/EBT funds on local food, they earn matching bonus bucks to buy produce and seedlings. MHB shoppers report less reliance on food pantries, discovering new food items, and feeling healthier thanks to the program. It also brings more Mainers into the third space of farmers’ markets, where social networks are built, relationships are formed, and everyone belongs. Help us nourish Maine, build community, and fight food insecurity today by donating to our 2025 fundraising campaign. 

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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! We pay farmers and vendors 100% of what the customer spends, at their full retail price. Your donation makes it all possible. 

Maine Harvest Bucks brings about $850,000 in direct sales to Maine farmers and market vendors annually. 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. We are facing a federal funding loss of about $400,000, or about half of our usual budget. 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 $4million 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. 
  • We hold regular fundraisers around the state. Our Harvest Bowls fundraiser at four farmers’ markets during Labor Day Weekend raised over $12,000!

We typically need to fundraise for $250,000 annually to keep Maine Harvest Bucks stable and meet the needs of shoppers and farmers. But this year, due to federal funding cuts, that number is more like $600,000.

Right now, we’re asking you to help us fundraise $25,000, or 10% of our usual 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?

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Looking for other ways to get involved in supporting Maine farmers’ markets and local food access?