Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Hurley — Qualifying residents will soon be able to use their SNAP benefits to purchase food at area farmers markets.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which Gogebic Range Farmers Market Association president Darrin Kimbler said was formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program serving low-income residents.
Kimbler said the Depot Park Farmers and Artisans Markets and Ironwood Township Farmers Market will be accepting SNAP benefits as soon as the machines are delivered — which he hopes could be as soon as Friday’s Depot Park market.
The Iron County Farmers Market is in the process of completing the paperwork needed to accept SNAP benefits, according to Kimbler.
Along with paying for the machines necessary to accept SNAP, Kimbler said grants from the Gogebic Range Health Foundation and Superior Health Foundation will allow both the Depot Park and Ironwood Township markets offer two-for-one bucks on qualifying purchases.
Kimbler said this was designed to give those using SNAP benefits more purchasing power at the markets.
“It allows people to spend $10 but get $20 worth of market cash to spend at the market,” Kimbler said. “It makes it much more economical for folks to get local foods than it would be otherwise with their limited amounts of benefits.”
Kimbler said SNAP benefits can generally be used on any foods that aren’t cooked or intended to be eaten onsite.
For general information on the local markets, residents can visit the respective market’s Facebook pages.