How 'Double Bucks' For Food Stamps Conquered Capitol Hill

[Recursion]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/11/10/361803607/how-double-bucks-for-food-stamps-conquered-capitol-hill

The federal government is about to put $100 million behind a simple idea: doubling the value of SNAP benefits — what used to be called food stamps — when people use them to buy local fruits and vegetables.

...

Earlier this year, the farm bill passed, and it included $100 million, over the next five years, to boost SNAP dollars when they're spent on fresh fruits and vegetables. Those taxpayer dollars have to be matched by private funding, so the program could add up to $200 million in total.

That's a huge increase. According to some estimates, it may be 10 times what these programs spend right now.

As a result, small programs like the Cherry Street Farmers Market and the Crossroads market are now applying for funding to expand. And Michigan's Fair Food Network, one of the biggest programs, is even moving beyond farmers markets. It's now working with supermarket chains to see whether SNAP recipients shopping there can double their dollars for fresh produce every day and all year round.

Back when I was on K street a few years ago one of my few accomplishments was successfully pitching this idea to a few of the produce associations, which liked it. Glad to see it finally coming to life.

[Prophet 451]

1. Great idea!

I remember reading a while ago that eating healthily adds about $1.50 a day to food costs. Hopefully, this will offset that some.

[ReRe]

2. We know it would make it through the Senate...

... but how would it fare in the "Do-Nothing" House?

[Recursion]

4. It already passed

That's the beauty/horror of the farm bill. Congress always passes it.

[ReRe]

8. I know, even if it cuts...

... Meals on Wheels for the Seniors or foodstamp card amounts. I do like the sound of this program, as fresh fruits and veggies are so expensive.

[Cha]

3. This is a Win Win situation! For our Local Farmers who need help making it and for people

to eat fresher, healthier Food.

Good idea you had back in the day, Recursion!

[Recursion]

5. It wasn't my idea, I just jumped on it at the time

The organizers of the farmers market I would go to in DC were some of the first to move on it.

[Cha]

6. All right! But, you knew a great idea when you heard it. :) And, I thank you

all for the gigantic push it's taken for everyone whose responsible for this.. incredible actually.

[aspirant]

9. The power of helping hands

THIS IS WONDERFUL STUFF. If you had anything to do with this no matter what the degree, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Liberal Lolita]

7. It has work wonderfully in Michigan.

Last edited Fri Nov 14, 2014, 03:03 AM - Edit history (1)

My mother-in-law gets a small SNAP benefit to supplement her Social Security. She tries to use it all at the farmers market because it goes twice as far. Her SNAP benefits only cover about 1/4 of her monthly grocery bill. The more she can get out of them, the more cash she has left for her other bills.

[UglyGreed]

10. When people

have access to good food health care cost plummet. It's a winning combination.

[Recursion]

11. One of our first sign-ons was the dentists' lobby

Which, when you think about it, makes a lot of sense.

[UglyGreed]

12. Yes it does

make a lot of sense. Good to see that they stepped up to plate (no pun intended) and did not worry about their bottom dollar. Rotten teeth are big bucks

[Recursion]

13. Weird thing about K street

It really is all of the people in whatever industry who actually give a shit. Which is why we even got a buy-in from the meat lobby, despite the fact that no meat is purchased in the process, because the people who make it to DC in the meat lobby are the ones who care about food policy.