Organizers Make Rose District Farmers Market More Accessible For Community

The Rose District Farmers Market is back in Broken Arrow next Saturday, April 1. Organizers and vendors are trying to make it more accessible to everyone in the community.

"We are excited to be able to offer more to benefit the healthy options in our community,” Farmers Market facilitator, Nicole Orcutt said.

Once again, this year they're helping low income families or senior citizens be able to get healthy food, for free.

"We were able to take in over $18,000 of SNAP benefits, over $3,000 of senior benefits last year and for that to be our first year, it really showed us that there really is a need in the community,” Orcutt said.

Orcutt said they are also introducing a new program this year called Double Up Oklahoma.

For every SNAP dollar spent on eligible purchases, the Double Up Oklahoma program will give those customers a matching dollar to spend on fruits and vegetables at places like the Rose District Farmers Market.

The goal of the new program is making sure people can stretch their money, so they don't have to settle for cheaper, processed food that has a longer shelf life.

Amber McDaniel owns a home bakery and is a vendor at the Farmers Market. She's happy to help relieve some of the financial burden some of her customers are facing.

"There are so many members of the community that appreciate and love being able to come to the Farmers Market and can afford to now,” McDaniel said.

The SNAP benefits will increase to $20 a day per person. McDaniel thinks everyone, from vendors to shoppers can benefit.

"Everyone deserves the right to have access to locally made goods. Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and we are so grateful that we get to be a part of that,” McDaniel said.

The farmers market will be open every Saturday and Tuesday starting April 1.