Maine farmers market group gets federal grants to expand food stamp access
The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets will receive two U.S. Department of Agriculture grants totaling more than $348,000 to increase access to Maine farmers markets and to promote them, the Pittsfield-based organization announced Thursday.
A $249,600 grant over three years will help the organization expand the number of Maine farmers markets open to people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, the organization said in a release on its website.
The grant will allow the organization to hire a SNAP program manager and provide SNAP training, technical support, outreach and fundraising assistance to Maine farmers markets. The funding is aimed at specific communities around the state through partnerships with organizations such as the Portland Farmers’ Market Association, Washington County: One Community and the Aroostook Community Action Program, according to the organization.
Currently there are more than 35 Maine farmers markets accepting SNAP benefits, which is up from only 10 farmers markets four years ago. But that still represents only about 25% of all markets in the state, the organization said.
The organization also received $99,000 from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service that will allow it to develop a two-year statewide marketing campaign.
The grants were part of nearly $35 million in funding announced last week by the USDA to support local and regional food systems.
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