ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD FOR ALL

PRESS RELEASE: Northampton Farmers Markets in collaboration with Grow Food Northampton and the City of Northampton have initiated a fund raising campaign to double the value of food stamps at all Northampton Farmers Markets.  With grants from the Northampton Health Department the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday Farmers Markets purchased electronic benefit transaction (EBT) machines which will allow the Markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards formerly known as food stamps.  The machines can also accept credit cards allowing for expanded payment options for market customers.

All three Farmers Markets will increase the value of SNAP benefits at the markets up to double the value depending on the amount of funds raised and for as long as funds are available. The intent of the program is to provide SNAP beneficiaries with an incentive and access to healthy food.  Maureen Dempsey, spokesperson for the Wednesday and Saturday Markets said “We hope the program will make the markets more accessible to everyone in the community.”

For More Information on this Press Release Contact:

Ben James, Tuesday Market, 413-262-5489, benjabirdy@gmail.com

Maureen Dempsey, Wednesday and Saturday Markets, 527-5440, intervale5@comcast.net

Lilly Lombard, Grow Food Northampton, 584-0081, use info@growfoodnorthampton.com

Ben Wood, Health Department Director, 587-1214, bwood@northamptonma.gov

Teri Anderson, Community & Economic Development Director and Chair of the Farmers Market Subcommittee, 587-1253, tanderson@northamptonma.gov