Concord and Penacook Farmers' Markets Welcome SNAP Incentive Program!

The Granite State Market Match is coming to Concord and Penacook farmers’ markets to make healthy eating easier for people receiving SNAP funds. The Merrimack County Conservation District (MCCD) is in its second year assisting these markets in accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, often referred to as “food stamps.” Through a partnership with the NH Food Bank and Wholesome Wave, SNAP dollars will now be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10 per market!

The Granite State Market Match reinforces the importance of a healthy diet, fostering locavorism across all socio-economic lines, and continues to increase markets for our local producers. In 2014 the USDA reported New Hampshire having distributed SNAP funds to 111,701 individuals. “We’re trying to level the playing field to help the agriculture producers in the area accept SNAP funds”, said Stacy Luke, district manager for MCCD. “SNAP participants can buy local nutritious food from the farmers’ market, and with the token system it’s a lot easier.” The Granite State Market Match is part of a national effort to increase outreach to SNAP beneficiaries at farmers’ markets and to improve accessibility of affordable, nutritious foods.

Farmers’ markets have increasingly become a popular shopping destination, offering local varieties of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and much more. In 1994, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recorded 1,755 operating farmers’ markets throughout the United States. Fast forward twenty years later, to 2014, where the USDA recorded 8,268 farmers’ markets. The growth of these markets helps foster a more visible local economy, while also being utilized as a tool to increase accessibility of fresh foods to low-income populations.

The Concord Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday from 8:30-12 through October 31st. Penacook Village Farmers’ Market is every Monday 4-6:30 through August 31st. To learn more about what the Concord and Penacook farmers’ market has to offer, check out their websites:

Concord: http://www.concordfarmersmarket.com

Penacook: http://www.penacook.org/farmersmarket/.

For more information about Merrimack County Conservation District, please check out our website at www.merrimackccd.org or call 975-0110.