Massachusetts Farmers Market Programs Help Combat Food Insecurity

In partnership with: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

One in three Massachusetts residents do not have consistent access to enough food for each person in their household to sustain a healthy life. Eager to ensure a plentiful food system to help satisfy every person’s basic need for nourishment, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and its collaborators focus on amplifying access to locally sourced, culturally relevant and nutritious foods. 

Since 2017, the state-funded Healthy Incentives Program, or HIP, which is administered by a partnership of MDAR and the Department of Transitional Assistance, has provided a dollar-to-dollar match on produce purchases made by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, users.

“Depending on household size, HIP puts up to $40 to $80 per month back on EBT cards when shoppers who use SNAP buy fruits and vegetables from farmers markets, farm stands and Community Supported Agriculture farm share programs,” says David Webber, MDAR farmers market program coordinator. 

During the 2023 fiscal year, HIP served 133,000 households who benefitted from $15.1 million in incentives. 

“In addition to feeding families, HIP broadens the consumer base for Massachusetts’ farmers and farm vendors, increasing produce sales,” Webber says.

Residents and farmers also reap the benefits of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that affords MDAR $1.4 million to expand its Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for two years. 

“This funding doubles the FMNP coupon benefit for eligible seniors from $25 to $50,” says Rebecca Davidson, MDAR director of food and climate equity. 

These coupons will be spent on local fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs and honey at 300 designated farmers markets and farm stands. 

“It’s another win-win – boosting the nutritional goals of seniors while injecting dollars into the Massachusetts food system,” Davidson says.

See more: What’s Growing? Massachusetts Produce Calendar

Furthermore, the Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program participants are eligible to receive $30 FMNP coupon booklets. This year alone, MDAR conveniently facilitated 50 coupon distribution events at markets.

“There is a real harmony between connecting our seniors and WIC participants to the community through this essential program,” Davidson says. “Residents can also benefit from educational components, such as recipe demonstrations by the UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program, and have opportunities to sample diverse types of fruits and vegetables.” 

Because of programs like these, fewer residents will be forced to make consequential decisions, like choosing between buying food or paying for other essentials, including rent or mortgage, utilities, transportation and medical care.

For more information about the Healthy Incentives Program, visit mass.gov/agr.