In 2010, the Lexington Farmers’ Market was the first farmers’ market in the Boston Metrowest area to accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s most important anti-hunger program. To boost spending power, when customers using SNAP shop at the LFM, the LFM’s SNAP Match Program doubles SNAP benefits up to $15 each market, making it possible to purchase $30 worth of healthy, fresh foods for $15. We depend upon donations that enable us to provide this critical service, as LFM does not receive state or federal assistance to fund our matching program.
In addition, SNAP recipients can access the statewide Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) which provides funds to purchase fruits and vegetables directly at farmers’ markets. This is good news all around: it gives families, seniors and individuals in need of food assistance increased access to buy more healthy, local food at farmers’ markets with their SNAP and HIP benefits, and in turn helps our local farmers. While this is a win-win-win, the increased demand for food assistance means a renewed commitment to meeting that need through fundraising.
As of March 2023, one in seven Massachusetts residents counts upon SNAP to meet their nutritional needs. Many others who are eligible for SNAP fail to apply for it, for a myriad of reasons, yet still struggle with food insecurity. In this post-pandemic era of rising food costs, it is sobering to realize that more than 1/3 of Massachusetts adults are unsure where they will find their next nutritionally adequate meal. (Source https://www.boston.com/news/health/2022/06/07/nearly-one-third-of-adults-in-mass-are-facing-food-insecurity-new-survey-shows/). The LFM is committed to being part of the vital work addressing food equity and insecurity.