SNAP Double Dollars for the Willimantic Farmers Market

The Willimantic Farmers Market is certified to accept SNAP and wants to encourage community members to use their benefits on fresh produce. One way we encourage this is by providing incentives for EBT users. Cost can often be a barrier to purchasing fresh produce but by providing incentives, we can match the amount low income customers are spending with additional money up to $10. At no cost to them. “Spend $10, get $10” (If an individual spends $4 they receive an additional $4)

The Double Dollars program has been running since 2016 and relies on community donations to stay viable as it continues to grow each year. During the 2020 season over $3,000 of incentives were distributed, allowing 55 low income community members to purchase nearly $7,000 of local produce! As the pandemic wears on we have not been able to fundraise in person but expect the need for affordable fruits and vegetables to grow which is why we need your virtual support.

The Willimantic Farmers Market will take place from 8am-12pm every Saturday from May 29th-October 30th in 2021. Participants interested in utilizing the Double Dollars Program visit the Market Master's tent where there EBT card is swiped and they are given $1 tokens that are redeemable at each vendors tent. The tokens are only redeemable for fruits and vegetables.

Participants choose they amount of incentives they'd like matched up to $10. They can be redeemed each week, so one person could get up to an additional $230 of local produce throughout the entire season. 

Willimantic has a high rate of both food and economic insecurity. The Double Dollars program allows us to provide families with more spending power to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables while also supporting local farmers. Incentives encourage more EBT users to spend federal funds locally instead of at larger chain stores.