USDA to Help Expand Food Program
The USDA will helm make farmers markets more accessible to low-income residents. Photo by KUT NewsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today it will put $4 million toward expanding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in states across the nation.
The program used to be called Food Stamps.
Andrew Smiley, deputy director of Sustainable Food Centers of Austin, says the money will help farmers markets buy equipment that processes the SNAP debit cards.
Smiley says his organization has been accepting SNAP benefits for five years, and he’s seen the program grow firsthand.
“In fact, last year, we saw a little over 60 percent increase in the amount of SNAP benefits that were being redeemed in our farmers markets,” Smiley said.
He says these USDA funds will allow groups like his to spend money on marketing and outreach instead of setting up the practical infrastructure of the program.
