September 17, 2014

Double SNAP at the Farmers Market

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits go twice as far at New Haven farmers markets when used to purchase fruits and vegetables. Such SNAP-based incentive programs (SBIP) may be funded and managed by private foundations, nonprofit organizations, or local governments.  

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has taken a closer look at these types of programs in a report released this year. The report did not seek to evaluate the programs, which are not funded by USDA. Instead, it focused on how SBIPs are administered. Findings include:
  • Most of the organizations funding a SBIP do so as part of a larger mission. A majority of funders allocated 25% or less of their total budget to the SBIP.
  • Implementing a SBIP is a collaborative process and many of the organizations involved play multiple roles.
  • Organizations reported some funding and staffing challenges.
  • SNAP fraud is not considered a major issue in implementing SBIPs.
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