UAMS Doubles Low-Income Individuals’ Purchasing Power at Farmers Markets
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently announced that it will double the purchasing power of low-income individuals at farmers markets. This initiative aims to increase access to healthy food for those who need it most.
Double Your Dollars is the program name behind this effort. It allows participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to receive additional vouchers for food purchases at local farmers markets. These vouchers can be used to buy a variety of healthy products, including fruits and vegetables, proteins, and baked goods.
This program is not new, but it has been revitalized and expanded to more areas. The initial Double Your Dollars program in 2018 had a significant impact, helping nearly 6,000 SNAP and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (Sr-FMNP) recipients. Participating farmers markets included Bella Vista, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Gravette, Green Fork, Rogers, Downtown Rogers, Siloam Springs, and Downtown Springdale.
One of the key features of this program is the additional support participants can receive. By attending a 30-minute cooking demonstration, SNAP recipients can receive extra vouchers, boosting their overall purchasing power. Similar programs in other states have also been successful, such as Arizona’s Let’s Grow initiative, which supports local farmers and food producers while providing healthy food to low-income families.
