What began as a temporary sponsorship to help local community members have access to healthy food will not have to end with the year, thanks to the support of a local church.
Since July, the Brainerd Farmers Market has been able to match each dollar spent by a customer with an EBT card from the government’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.
Originally the market’s assistance program was only offered the first Saturday of the month and sponsored by Grace Episcopal Church, whose lot serves as the location for the market. Due to the success and growth of the initiative, the church increased its funding to offer the option each weekend.
“To have someone purchase five dollars of goods and us be able to give them 10 is a really exciting thing to be able to offer,” said Catherine Durham, market coordinator. “To offer that to the residents in the surrounding community is a really big deal.”
The SNAPs Double Points program is about much more than simply providing healthy options to those who may not be able to afford it otherwise, Durham said. The program also serves as a way to bring the community together and support the residents – while boosting the local economy.
“We are a diverse community,” she said. “We are trying to reach everybody and I think an awareness of healthy food and the benefits of organic are important. And this also helps keep the dollars spent local. They aren’t spending the money at the Bi-Lo; they’re investing it here, where we’ve made it affordable.”
Many of the market’s farmers educate the residents who shop there on how to preserve their fresh food, as well as share healthy recipes for new ways to prepare the food.
“Our philosophy is know your farmer, know your food. It’s about relationship building,” Durham said. “We had a woman walk from North Moore Road and that is thrilling to me. Word is spreading about this.”
In addition to helping the community, the program has also helped grow the farmers market itself. Since the market began five years ago, its customer base has more than tripled, Durham said. On average, 20 vendors participate weekly.
The Brainerd Market takes place each Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon outside of Grace Episcopal.
To support the Double SNAPs program, contact the church at 243-3250.