During the 2012 market season, the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment partnered with the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance to offer FREE Fresh Bucks to EBT users who shop at our farmers markets.  This bonus program increases the fresh fruit and vegetable purchasing power of low income shoppers, and increases the number of shoppers utilizing SNAP/EBT at local farmers markets.

We are hoping to secure funding again this year for the Fresh Bucks program!  We anticipate being about to start up the program in August 2013, but we'll update this information as we find out more.

In 2012, the Fresh Bucks program provided up to a $10 bonus match (for a minimum of $10 of EBT benefits redeemed) at our seven Seattle-area Farmers Markets:

  · University District and Magnolia Farmers Markets on Saturdays

  · West Seattle and Broadway Farmers Markets on Sundays

  · Columbia City Farmers Market on Wednesdays

  · Lake City Farmers Market on Thursdays

  · Phinney Farmers Market on Fridays

In 2012, we secured funding for this program via a grant from JPMorgan Chase and the Seattle Foundation, with additional funding provided by the WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

The Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment develops and promotes innovative urban sustainability policies and initiatives that address environmental challenges for the City of Seattle.