State nutrition-incentive fund has directed $1M to Mainers, small businesses
Photo / Courtesy, Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets
State funding of over $1 million for food-buying assistance has flowed into the hands of Maine farmers and food producers since May.
Since May, a state appropriation of over $1 million to Maine's Nutrition Incentive Fund has had led to a similar amount of food sales and flowed into the hands of Maine farmers and food producers.
The fund supports programs like Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards, which help low-income families buy fresh fruits and vegetables through discounts and bonuses, according to a news release.
The low-income food programs are administered by the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine and Cultivating Community farms across the state.
The model allows shoppers who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food benefits at farmers' markets, farm stands, community-support agriculture programs and small retail stores to receive matching funds, coupons or discounts of up to 50% on eligible products.
The initiative directly supports local farmers while increasing access to fresh, nutritious produce for low-income Mainers.
According to the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets, the programs are having measurable impacts:
- Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards have recorded a 30% increase in participation and program usage since the state funding took effect.
- The economic benefits flow to 45 farmers' markets, 15 farm stands, 12 community-supported agriculture farms and 15 small retail stores. The Presque Isle Farmers’ Market generated over $16,000 in SNAP and Maine Harvest Bucks sales over the summer.
- The average monthly SNAP allocation per person dropped nearly 40% in 2024 compared with 2021, but SNAP enrollment in Maine was up 13% over the same period.
According to the federation, research indicates that nutrition incentive programs increase participants' fruit and vegetable consumption beyond average U.S. consumption rates.
“This year has been amazing for us,” said Joan McElwain of McElwain’s Strawberry Farm in Caribou.
McElwain said her farm is seeing many new shoppers using their SNAP electronic benefit transfer cards there. Maine Harvest Bucks has also brought in new customers.
“This program has made a huge difference not just for our customers but for our farm as well,” she said.
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