Wholesome Wave Double Value Coupon Program fact sheet

DVCP

Wholesome Wave’s

Double Value Coupon Program 2012 Outcomes

When shopping at participating farmers markets1 DVCP participants receive an incentive that matches the amount spent in federal nutrition benefits toward the purchase of healthy, fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

2012

40,000 114,000 at a Glance 3,200 306 24 $2.4 million DVCP participants

visits to participating markets

More than

participating farmers

participating markets in

states and DC

in revenue generated by DVCP and federal nutrition benefits for farmers markets

DVCP Enhances Local Economies, Market and Farm Viability

27%

An average of of total market sales came from federal benefits and DVCP Due to DVCP, farmers reported expansion:

23% diversified their product offerings, 15% added hoop houses or greenhouses 12% increased production or acreage 30% of DVCP consumers reported

they planned to spend an average of

$28.95 at nearby businesses on market day

DVCP is Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

90%

of DVCP consumers reported increasing or greatly increasing their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables

I am so blessed by your program. Thank you for making it possible for me to spend my SNAP dollars on local foods! — DVCP Consumer from Georgia

* Farmers markets include traditional markets, farm stands, mobile markets and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs.

Nourishing Neighborhoods Across America

DVCP is Expanding Access to Affordable Healthful, Local Foods

95%

Over of DVCP consumers agreed or strongly agreed that it was easier to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables as a result of shopping at the farmers market

70%

of DVCP consumers said Almost the incentives were very important in getting them to spend their federal nutrition benefits at the farmers markets

DVCP Helps Strengthen Community Connections Consumers Value Many Aspects of Markets 95%

Quality of produce Supporting local farmers/businesses

88%

Accepts SNAP or FMNP

88%

Selection of produce

87% 81%

Taking part in the community 53%

Other market events 0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent of Respondents Reporting Aspect as “Very Important” in Decision to Come to the Farmers Market

Markets Provide Information and Activities to DVCP Customers 84%

Recipe or “how to”cook instructions

72%

Nutritional information

69%

Cooking demo or classes

56%

Programming for children

53%

SNAP outreach and sign-up Arcadia Mobile Market

Transportation to market 15% 0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent of Markets Providing Information/Activity

Our market has become a place where strangers living on the same street have become neighbors and where food assistance recipients can stretch their benefits twice as far, thanks to our Bonus Bucks program. The market has made access to healthy, affordable food a little bit easier for the residents of the “food desert” neighborhoods we serve.

— DVCP Market Manager from Virginia

Wholesome Wave is a national 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting small and midsize farms, and making fresh, healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables available to all people, regardless of income. For more information about Wholesome Wave, visit www.wholesomewave.org, email info@wholesomewave.org, or call 203-226-1112.

To view the DVCP Full Report and Executive Summary, visit http://wholesomewave.org/wholesomewaveresearch/