City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, January 15, 2015) – Rochester Public Market customers who use their SNAP food stamp benefits can now double the value of their purchases up to $20 per market visit during the “Double Up” Market incentive program this winter.
Funded by a $100,000 grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, the Double Up program encourages more shoppers to use their SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, at the Rochester Public Market. Throughout the year, customers who have SNAP benefits can use their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to purchase wooden Market Tokens that serve as currency with dozens of market vendors. The Tokens can be used to purchase affordable, healthy foods that include fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, dairy products, baked goods and more. Through the Double Up program, the value of any Token purchase up to a maximum of $20 per person per market visit will be doubled. The program will run from January 15 through March.
“Fighting poverty is more than just creating jobs. A healthy community starts with the physical health of each of its members,” said Mayor Warren. “When people have ready access to affordable, healthy foods, they’re more likely to make good food choices. As a result of the Market Token Program, 70% of participants report eating more fruits and vegetables and report purchasing more fresh fruit for their children. The Double Up program builds on this success, helping people feed their bodies, their minds, and ultimately helping them emerge from poverty. The program is in line with my priorities of improving educational outcomes, creating jobs, and making neighborhoods safer. I'm thankful for the support of our community partners that have made this possible.”
“Buying affordable and healthy food is a challenge for everyone, and this incentive is a great way for our customers who rely on food stamps to stretch their food dollars,” said Margaret O’Neill, program manager for the Friends of the Rochester Public Market, the nonprofit organization that administers the Market Token program.
The Market Token program enables food stamp customers to easily obtain affordable, farm-fresh foods at farmers markets, which are a highly economical alternative to convenience or grocery stores. The program has been available at the Rochester Public Market since 2008. In 2014, nearly 9,000 shoppers used their SNAP benefits to purchase healthy, fresh foods at the Rochester Public Market through the Market Token Program. The value of those purchases added up to $555,000—which makes this program one of the most successful of its kind in the country.
SNAP customers can purchase tokens in the lobby of the Rochester Public Market Office. The Market is open year-round on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To learn more about the Market Token program, call (585) 325-5058, or visit the Friends of the Rochester Public Market website at www.marketfriends.org. The Rochester Public Market web site is www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.