WOODLAWN — People buying produce from Chicago’s farmers markets with food stamps are getting a $250,000 boost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The grant goes to Experimental Station to expand its programs offering two-for-one and other discounts for customers buying with food stamps. The programs will be available at 50 farmers markets now, up from 36.
“That means that more of Illinois' low-income population will gain access to the fresh and healthy foods sold at Illinois' farmers markets,” said Connie Spreen, executive director of Experimental Station in an announcement of the grant.
Experimental Station was the first to try offering incentives to get more low-income families to shop at local farmers markets in 2009 at the 61st Street Farmers Market. Last year, families on food assistance spent $125,492 on food from farmers markets, according to Experimental Station. With federal and state agencies picking up part of the tab, it means $215,542 went into the pockets of farmers selling at participating farmers markets.
The grant is part of an $8.1 million initiative by the USDA in 23 states to get low-income families to purchase more from local farmers.
"We will continue supporting local and regional food systems, which are drawing young people back to agriculture, generating jobs, and improving quality of life in rural communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. “Since 2009, we have seen a 75 percent growth in farmers markets nationwide and sales of local food rose to an estimated $12 billion in 2014, much of it through sales from farms to local grocers, institutions and restaurants."
Experimental Station is also partnering with CBS to get the word out, and the Hyde Park and Woodlawn market will be part of a commercial airing in the summer of 2016 in Cook County and the six neighboring counties about the discounts available to low-income families who shop at farmers markets.
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