Farmers' market offers incentives to shop with food stamps for fresh produce

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - There’s been a change in the way farmers' markets do business that some say is a ‘win-win’ for everybody. It’s an opportunity for growers to expand their customer base all while people on food stamps or SNAP buy fresh food affordably.

One dollar tokens are just what Kathy Pitman needed Sunday to load-up her cart at the City Market.

Pitman explains, “I use my food stamp card just like you do in any grocery store."

Except at the farmers' market, her card buys tokens to trade for food she says is cheaper than in the grocery store. “That means I can get a lot more fresh produce and meats down here,” Pitman says, “without worrying about spending extra cash."

With five mouths to feed she says she knows the value of a dollar. Thanks to a program called Beans and Greens, her dollar is worth double at the farmer's market.

Market Master Deb Connors explains, “So if they get $20 in food stamp dollars we give them $20 free, up to $30."

Connors says they've tried to spread the word. However, only about a hundred people each weekend take advantage of a deal that allows them to use free cash to stock their pantries.

She explains what types of items can be bought with that money, “For local produce, food items, pastas, meat, baked goods, jellies, it's just any food item."

Pitman’s doing her part to make sure everyone knows. She says, "I tell everybody I know that has food stamps that don't know what to do: City Market! They'll double up to the first $30!"

The City Market farmers' market isn’t the only metro market involved with Beans and Greens project. KCK Greenmarkets, Rosedale, Troostwood and Independence markets also offer the deal to double your money up to $30.