Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Utah Farmers Markets Accepting Food Stamps
Downtown Farmers Market
Pioneer Park
300 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City
People's Market
International Peace Gardens
1000 S. 900 West, Salt Lake City
Utah Botanical Center Farmers Markets
Utah Botanical Center
940 S. 50 West, Kaysville
Cache Valley Gardeners Market
Merlin Olsen Central Park
50 S. 200 East, Logan
Clearfield Farmers Market
Clearfield Aquatic Center front lawn
825 S. State Street, Clearfield
Sugarhouse Farmers Market
1100 E. 2100 South, Salt Lake City
University of Utah Farmers Market
University of Utah Tanner Plaza
201 S. 1460 East, Salt Lake City
Int'l Rescue Committee Farmers Stand
Horizonte School
1234 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City
Wasatch Front Farmers Market
Wheeler Farm
6351 S. 900 East, Murray
Murray Park Farmers Market
Murray City Park
200 E. 5200 South, Murray
Oasis Market
2445 Monroe Blvd., Ogden
For more information visit the Utahns Against Hunger website.
SALT LAKE CITY -- On Saturday mornings, the Downtown Farmers Market in Pioneer Park is packed with people who want fresh, local produce. Now, people on public assistance have a chance to get in on all this healthy eating. That's because local farmer's markets are accepting food stamps.
The group Utahns Against Hunger has been instrumental in opening the local farmers markets up to more people who want fresh, local food.
The group has a booth where food stamp debit card credits are converted to tokens for use at the market. The tokens have to be used only for fresh food and produce.
It's a way to encourage healthy eating for a growing number of people on food stamps.
"We know that Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables anyway," said Gina Cornea with Utahns Against Hunger. "The lower income you are the less likely you are to be eating fruits and vegetables, and so this is a way to help people do that, and afford to do that."
Shoppers seem to be supportive of the initiative.
"It's an awesome idea," said Sharon Brown, a shopper at the Downtown Farmers Market. "The produce here is a lot better."
The growers and vendors like the idea of encouraging more shoppers, too.
"Everybody deserves healthy food and deserves a choice," said vendor Ginny Smith. "When they come to the market they can participate in that, but also participate in the market in general."
The token program has been around for a few years, but there's still a relatively few number of people who are using it compared to the number of those on assistance.
Utahns Against Hunger is working to get the word out, to open the door to others on public assistance.
In general, people are very supportive of this program. It's a great way to encourage people to buy local, fresh produce.
Email: rpiatt@ksl.com
