At a rural health community forum earlier this week in St. John Parish, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was asked whether needy families will ever be able to use their food stamps for purchasing fresh produce at local farmers markets. It was a timely question, since state officials have been lobbying the feds since May to loosen up the rules.
State Social Services Secretary Kristy Nichols says the food stamp program, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), needs to “to combat poverty and obesity by promoting good nutrition, healthy food choices with increased access to fresh local fruits and vegetables.” To be certain, such a concept would help the Red Stick Farmers Market and other markets reach a wider clientele.
Vilsack says the USDA is presently developing grant programs that would allow farmers and local vendors to accept the electronic benefit transfer cards used by many food stamp recipients. In particular, Nichols says she would also like to see the USDA introduce new incentives for purchasing healthy foods and expand pilot programs that double the amount of food stamps that can be spent on fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets.—Jeremy Alford
