Good Quality, Affordable Food at Your Local Farmers Market

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

Farmers markets play a great role in Vermont. They allow us to purchase locally-grown healthy food, and they support our family farmers and rural communities. That’s why thousands of Vermonters, in every part of the state, enjoy shopping at their local farmers market every week.

Some Vermonters may think that buying locally-grown food is too expensive for their budgets. Well, I have good news for them. There are two programs that help make shopping at a farmers market more affordable.

Crop Cash gives Vermonters who receive 3SquaresVT/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits extra money to spend at participating farmers markets on local fruits, vegetables and herbs. It doubles your food benefits — for every $1 in 3SquaresVT funds you spend, you get $1 in Crop Cash to spend at the market, up to $20. Crop Cash Plus matches another $1, up to $10, on any 3SquaresVT eligible item, which expands the options to include foods such as meat, dairy and bread.

The Bernie Buzz recently visited the Winooski Farmers Market to see how these programs work.

It’s simple to get started and every dollar you spend supports Vermont farmers who are helping to strengthen our communities every day. Learn more about the Crop Cash program here and to find your local farmers market click here. To learn more about 3SquaresVT, the federal SNAP which provides eligible Vermonters with money every month to buy groceries, click here.

If you have any questions, please call my office at 802-862-0697 and my staff will be happy to help.

Sincerely,