Walmart Foundation Grant Supports Farmers' Market Purchases
University of Arkansas students shop at the Fayetteville Farmers Market. A new grant will allow customers enrolled in two nutrition programs to double their purchasing power at regional farmers' markets.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Farmers' market customers enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (S-FMNP) in Northwest Arkansas will be able to double the amount of money they can spend on locally grown and raised foods at area farmers' markets this year in the Farmers Market Double Your Dollar program.
The Northwest Arkansas Farmers' Market Alliance in partnership with the Horticulture Department at the University of Arkansas and the Jones Center for Families received a grant from the Walmart Foundation for $99,812. Heather Friedrich, a facilitator for the Alliance, said the grant would increase the capacity of lower income individuals and families to buy fresh, local, nutritious and healthy food at farmers' markets through a "Double Your Dollars" incentive program. Eight farmers' markets in Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Gravette and Rogers are participating in the program.
Participants of SNAP and S-FMNP must visit the farmers' market manager booth to receive market-specific tokens that are then used to purchase fresh produce, eggs, meat, dairy or food producing plants. "The tokens are used like real money but can only be used at the market where they are received," Friedrich said. "This project doubles the impact on the northwest Arkansas community because it supports low-income residents purchases of local food and also because it contributes to a vibrant and thriving local farming community."
The program will run until all funds are distributed. More information about the program is available at marketsnap.uark.edu.
Contacts
Heather Friedrich, program manager
Horticulture
479-575-2798,
heatherf@uark.edu
Headlines
U of A Bands to Hold Three Nights of Concerts
The Symphonic Band, the Wind Symphony, the 4 O'Clock and 5 O'Clock Bands and the Wind Ensemble will perform April 21-23 at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on the U of A campus.
Honors College to Host 'Best in Show' Dog Celebration
The campus and community are invited to celebrate our furry friends with popsicles, water and dog treats from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in the Gearhart Courtyard.
New Parasite Affecting Canadian Partridges Named for Arkansas Poultry Scientist
A long-time colleague in Canada gave a newly found parasite the scientific name Eimeria hargisi in honor of U of A poultry science researcher Billy Hargis.
U of A School of Law Student Selected for Ms. J.D. Leadership Academy Intensive
Tristan Branstetter-Thomas, a second-year law student, was one of 30 students from across the country chosen to participate in the leadership academy at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago.
Needy Honored as Distinguished Alumna of University of Pittsburgh Engineering College
College of Engineering Dean Kim Needy was among seven alumni of the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering honored in April as part of the 2024 Class of Distinguished Alumni.