<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3pDnRP_1EbDL9OJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3pDnRP_1EbDL9OJ00" width="1200" height="600" ><p>VIROQUA, Wis. (WEAU) - A program at the Viroqua Farmers Market is matching money spent by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, allowing them to get more food for their money while spending at local farms.</p><p>Melissa Mahon Stein, with the Wisconsin Farmers Union Vernon-Crawford Chapter, helped start the Double Up Bucks program last October.</p><p>“I think it’s fantastic that they’re spending their dollars with local farmers, and they’re getting local fresh produce that they’re able to incorporate into their diet. The match allows them to expand, like to increase how far their dollar can go,” Mahon Stein said.</p><h2>How the program works</h2><p>The program matches up to $35 of what a SNAP recipient plans to spend at the farmers market.</p><p>Shoppers visit the market’s information booth, where staff ask how much money they want to spend. A shopper who wants to spend $10 swipes their card and receives that amount in tokens, along with a set of coupons worth $10.</p><p>The Vernon-Crawford Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union said it has seen a 23% increase in SNAP dollars used at the market. The chapter said it wants to keep the dollars local rather than going to big box retailers.</p><p>“They can spend in the same way that they are allowed to spend any of their nutrition benefit money. The match is limited to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy,” Mahon Stein said.</p><h2>Funding and results</h2><p>During the 2025 pilot program, 26 FoodShare-enrolled households spent at the market, and $1,900 was reimbursed to food vendors.</p><p>The chapter hopes to raise $12,000 to continue funding the program. So far, it has raised $8,000.</p><p>Elena Bird, also with the Wisconsin Farmers Union Vernon-Crawford Chapter, said the program benefits FoodShare shoppers.</p><p>“It just allows food share shoppers dignity to choose their food and to choose healthy food and to support their community and to bring their kids to the farmer’s market and feel welcome at the farmer’s market,” Bird said.</p></div></body>

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VIROQUA, Wis. (WEAU) - A program at the Viroqua Farmers Market is matching money spent by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, allowing them to get more food for their money while spending at local farms. Melissa Mahon Stein, with the Wisconsin Farmers Union Vernon-Crawford Chapter, helped start the Double Up...

Viroqua program doubles SNAP dollars at farmers market

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VIROQUA, Wis. (WEAU) - A program at the Viroqua Farmers Market is matching money spent by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, allowing th

Viroqua program doubles SNAP dollars at farmers market

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