City of Rochester
News Release
Market Offers Affordable, Sustainable, Local Goods and Accepts SNAP Benefits
(Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023) – In preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St., continues its tradition of opening for special hours, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 22. The Market will be closed on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23.
“Everyone should make it a tradition to visit the Rochester Public Market as part of their Thanksgiving holiday preparations,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “It’s a great way to shop for fresh ingredients that are affordable, sustainable, and supportive of our local businesses and producers. With the Market Token Program, it’s simple to use SNAP benefits to purchase healthy, local food to contribute to a wholesome holiday meal.”
Fifteen years in and still going strong, the Market Token Program operated by Friends of the Rochester Public Market is designed to make it easy for both shoppers and vendors to use and accept the State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at the Market. SNAP recipients can visit the Market Token Center on Market shopping days to obtain wooden tokens that function as cash with dozens of Market vendors. Shoppers only need to swipe their card once in one location; and vendors don’t have to take on the ongoing tasks and costs of having their own SNAP benefits operations. In addition, through the Fresh Connect program, New York State offers a 100% bonus on the first $50 of SNAP benefits redeemed each Market day.
As the year comes to a close, the use of SNAP benefits at the Rochester Public Market may reach a record high. At $741,622 as of Sept. 30, the program is on track to surpass last year’s SNAP redemption total of $957,404, a total that has been increasing each year.
“We’re proud of the work that the City of Rochester and the Friends of the Public Market have accomplished to make healthy food more accessible through the Market Token Program,” said Jim Farr, Director of the Rochester Public Market. “This Thanksgiving season, we’re grateful for this success and for the opportunity to continue to grow the program and reach more Rochesterians who can enjoy its benefits.”
To learn more about the Rochester Public Market, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket.
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The Administration of Mayor Malik D. Evans strives to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone. Guided by the Administration’s Mission, Vision and Values and the principles of the “Rochester 2034” comprehensive plan, City employees are committed to providing exceptional customer service, transparent stewardship, and collaborative leadership to foster a vibrant community that empowers personal, professional and generational growth for all who live, work or play in the city of Rochester.