Austin Farmers’ Market adds twist
Published 7:40 am Friday, May 13, 2011
Jeff Jaeger of Otter Creek Ranch east of Lyle, bags up some eggs for a customer during the year's first Farmer's Market on First Avenue NW just off Main Street Thursday afternoon. -- Herald file photo
The Austin Area Farmers’ Market opens downtown May 19; and this year, there’s change for the better.
Blue Cross is offering food stamp recipients $5 in Market Bucks for every $5 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases of fruits and vegetables at the market. The goal isn’t just to offer more money for SNAP, but to do encourage people to eat healthier through an incentive program.
Last year Blue Cross piloted the Market Bucks incentive at the Midtown Farmers’ Market in Minneapolis and found it successful. Now the program has been expanded.
Austin Area Farmers’ Market is open 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Oak Park Mall, 3:30 to 5:30 on First Street NE downtown and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Oak Park Mall.
