Program doubles SNAP benefits at Asheville farmers markets
A new Double SNAP program is now available at Asheville City Market, offered through the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.
The program allows ASAP to match dollars spent by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program users, doubling the amount they can use to shop at the farmers market. SNAP recipients can use their EBT card to buy market tokens from the market information booth and receive a one-to-one match for each dollar spent. Eligible items include produce, bread, meat, dairy products and plants or seeds that produce edible food.
The program is in effect at all locations of the Asheville City Market. The goal is to increase healthy eating options for SNAP users and support local farms. ASAP hopes to expand Double SNAP to other area markets if funding is available. Funding for the first year of the program comes from private donations. Additional donations can be made directly to ASAP and are tax-deductible.
