The Fair Share Project

Innovative and fresh, the Fair Share Project kicks off next week at the Adams County Farm Fresh Market at the Rec Park in Gettysburg!

What is it? It’s a food voucher program - but not your typical hand-out. It’s working towards food justice. We all have the right to adequate and nutritious food, but our economic structure doesn’t always make that possible.

Many families fall into a gap. Their income is too high to receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits or to access the food pantry, but, they do not make enough to be self-sufficient. Since housing, utilities, car and other expenses tend to be fixed, about 20% of families in Adams county are left with little money to purchase food. As a result, they tend to eat cheap, often unhealthy food – therefore the term “food gap.” The Fair Share Project aims to provide families with an increased ability to purchase and consume healthy, fresh foods while supporting local farms and providing nutrition education and support.

The Adams County Food Policy Council partnered with the Campus Kitchen at Gettysburg College to enable 25 families to receive $40 a month in vouchers for the months of June-September to be redeemed at the Adams County Farm Fresh Markets. Participates will also take part in educational activities including taste testing, healthy eating on a budget, market tours, food demonstrations, advice from dietitians and kid-friendly recipes.

Appropriately named, the project is funded through unbelievable community support! Four local farms (The Amazing Heart Farm, Everblossom Farm, Beech Springs Farm and Sherlock's Farm) each generously donated a CSA share to the Campus Kitchen at Gettysburg College for resale. This provided $1,850 and additional support came from an online fundraising campaign.

Want to learn more? Contact The Adams County Food Policy Council at adamsfoodpolicy@gmail.com.

~ Kim Davidson is a board member of the Adams County Farmers Market Association and facilitates the Adams County Food Policy Council. She works closely on community initiatives in her role as the Associate Director of the Center for Public Service at Gettysburg College.

Double Your SNAP Dollars Program

Local Farmers Markets Offer EBT and a Chance to Double Your SNAP Dollars

"Adams County families in need of food assistance have risen by almost 20% since 2009. Accepting SNAP at the farmers' markets not only meets the needs of the community but increases access to fresh, locally grown food for all citizens". ~Kathleen Glahn, President

This summer, families will be able to double their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) federal benefits when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at Adams County Farm Fresh Markets. The Adams County Farmer’s Market Association secured funding through Wellspan Health and local businesses for this program as part of its goal to increase access to and consumption of locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

The Adams County Farmers Market Association is piloting the Double Dollar Program for SNAP recipients at three farmers markets this season – on Wednesdays at the Gettysburg Recreation Park as well as on Fridays and Saturdays at the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg. The program will distribute $2,000 to families and individuals receiving SNAP benefits throughout the market season. South Central Community Action Programs Inc., the Gettysburg Area School District and direct mailings will assist in getting the word out to the over 7,000 individuals receiving SNAP benefits in Adams County.

The Double Dollar Program is simple: SNAP recipients can swipe their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and the market staff person will match the amount up to 10 dollars. For example, spend $10 of SNAP benefits at the market and receive $20 in tokens to use at vendors who offer SNAP eligible foods like fruit, vegetables, bread, meat and eggs.

Supported through grant funding received by Capital Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area Council and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Adams County Farmers Market Association implemented EBT services in 2010. The benefit of EBT technology is three-fold: healthier populations due to greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables; improved environment through the retention of local farms; and a stronger economy as more consumers connect with area growers.

The Double Dollars program will provide an extra incentive for low-income families to utilize EBT services at the market. "Access to fresh food is critical in our nation's fight to reduce obesity, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and other diet-related diseases," said Betsy Wargo, Registered Dietitian and Wellspan Diabetes Educator. "Many double dollar programs across the country have been very successful and we are thrilled to implement it here in Adams County."
Market vendors are excited by the opportunity for their products to reach a larger portion of the local population. “When SNAP customers shop at our member markets, they are directly connecting with local farms and supporting our local economy,” said Kathleen Glahn, President of the Adams County Farmers Market Association. “It is beneficial for everyone!” The USDA reports that the SNAP program is an effective way to stimulate the economy. It estimates that each $1 in federal SNAP benefits generates nearly twice that in economic activity.

Adams County Farm Fresh Markets also accepts debit cards, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. The Freedom Transit bus provides transportation to both market locations.

For more information, market locations and hours, visit us at: http://www.acfarmersmarkets.org and sign up for our e-newsletter. See you at the market!

Kim Davidson is a board member of the Adams County Farmers Market Association and facilitates the Adams County Food Policy Council. She works closely on community initiatives in her role as the Associate Director of the Center for Public Service at Gettysburg College.

Opening Soon!

The Adams County Farm Fresh Market will be opening the end of April with much anticipation. Keep in mind, choosing the right opening date is always discussed amongst our quality market growers. Some are ready in early spring and some just are not. However, when it comes to Mother Nature, we know that fresh asparagus is always ready to be harvested in early spring. With adequate sunshine, the right temperatures and moisture this perennial crop will keep in producing for 5-6 weeks. The first shoots usually appear in early April and by the end of April, growers are fresh cutting hundreds of pounds to bring to the market.
Look for fresh asparagus with two of our growers, Mickley's Orchards and Lou Shuba from Wild Flower Lane Farm.

In preparation for the 2011 planting season, many of our growers start much of their produce seedlings directly from seed.
From tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, broccoli, onions and lots more, the diversity of veggie offerings at the market is endless. In addition, some growers will sell a wide variety of seedlings for the home gardener. Be sure to check back with us by mid-April to learn more.
Pictured are seed trays from Mickley's Orchards.

2010 Market Photo Gallery

Thank you for supporting our markets. See you in 2011!