Alma Borquez of Mama Jean’s Produce prepares to make sales to customers on April 4 at the opening of the Nash County Farmers Market. Photo by William F. West
FARMERS market By Paige Minshew
The Nash County Farmers Market has served the community since April 2005.
agricultural products greatly determines the
new this year is a program geared towards
market’s operating schedule.
SNAP/EBT users called Fresh Bucks. Fresh
As a way to encourage local farmers to
As COVID-19 continued to ravage the
Bucks tokens are extra market dollars for
increase production of their products, the
world, the state Department of Agriculture
SNAP/EBT users to spend on fresh fruits and
Farmers Market provides a storefront for
and Consumer Services issued the following
vegetables at farmers markets. Fresh Bucks
retail sales. Products available for purchase
statement: “According to guidance from the
double the buying power of SNAP/EBT users
are local produce, homemade baked goods,
North Carolina Department of Health and
at farmers markets. For each dollar a SNAP
seafood and meats, flowers and personal care
Human Services, farmers markets fall under
user withdraws from their account to spend
products.
the same classification as grocery stores and
at a farmers market, they will be matched an
are considered an important source of food
additional dollar, up to a total of $20 of Fresh
for local communities.”
Bucks.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension believes this market philosophy is consistent with long-term
and
Recipients of Food and Nutrition Services
Fresh Bucks can only be used for fresh
preservation of the local farming community.
can now use their EBT cards to access
produce such as fruits and vegetables. Fresh
Seasonal availability of locally produced
benefits at farmers markets this year. Also
Bucks double buying power will only be
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economic
development
