Re: Need your help to share your SNAP EBT Market stories!
Pat Stieren
If your market operates a SNAP/EBT program or/and offers Healthy Food Incentives such as the Double Value Coupon Program, please help us spread awareness to Illinois State Government about the need for these programs!
(see attached letter) Your state legislators may not know that…
· Many low income and at-risk populations need help accessing farm fresh foods at Illinois farmers markets.
· Many farmers need additional revenue to help support themselves and the local economy.
· Providing greater access to farm fresh foods will positively impact the health of our most at-risk populations, thereby driving down Medicaid and Medicare costs to state government.
· Efforts are being made in Illinois to create a statewide fund for Healthy Food Incentives, like the Double Value Coupon Program. Non-federal funds raised by private organizations and state governments can be used to draw down federal matching funds provided by the USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives Program.
This October, please invite your Illinois state legislators to your farmers market and demonstrate how your SNAP/EBT and Healthy Food incentive programs help both your shoppers and farmers. This is the best time to engage your state legislator as we move into the final weeks of the Farmers Market season!
If your state senators or representatives cannot attend your market, please consider passing along the following short videos, or one of your own, that demonstrate how SNAP and Double Value Coupon programs operate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXL2iXeeNTM
To locate your state rep go here.
http://il--nea.capwiz.com/nea/il/directory/statedir.tt?state=IL&lvl=state&action=myreps_form
Sincerely,
Connie Spreen Corey Chatman
Executive Director Program Manager
Experimental Station/LINK Up Illinois LINK Up Illinois
Pat Stieren, Executive Director
Illinois Farmers Market Association
217-522-4274
pstie...@comcast.net