JoAnne's Archive

Now accepting SNAP cards /Canning Plant now open
By JoAnne Leone

When I buy “fresh beets” in the grocery stores in the middle of January, I expect to be paying a premium for them. It is the middle of winter, after all. But this is summer. Last week at the Farmers Market, I bought 6 beets with greens (tender greens – yum!) for one dollar. And they were just picked the eve before they ended up in my roasting pan. So, why isn't every shopping at the market? Well, thanks to a new program the Market is participating in this year, every one can!

The Union County Farmers Market was initially organized to help our farmers sell their goods locally. Each year more and more growers participate as produce vendors. And those of us purchasing the goods have grown in numbers, enough to sustain the growth the Market is currently experiencing.

This year the Market wants to magnify the power of good food for everyone. Union County is the first market in the North Georgia region to offer SNAP (EBT) recipients an opportunity to use their benefits to purchase produce and other food products at the Market. SNAP is the acronym for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , or what was better known as Food Stamps before 2008, when recipients began receiving their benefits via a debit card.

Anyone with a Georgia SNAP debit card can see our Market Manager; have their card swiped for the amount they think they'd like to use towards Market purchases. In turn, they'll receive tokens to be used as currency towards their goods. The vendor who takes in tokens will then cash them in with the Market Manager at the end of the day. If the recipient does not use all of the tokens they've purchased, they will be able to use them again at a future visit to the UC Market.

Did you know that Georgia saw an increase of over 300,000 households receiving SNAP in the last 24 months? This new addition to the Union County Farmers Market helps our residents who are struggling in these tough economic times, to live healthier lifestyles, and eat more fruits and vegetables. It also increases the economic opportunities for our farmers.

More money for farmers. More people with access to good healthy, local food. It's a win – win. Please help us spread the word to families you know who can take advantage of this opportunity. For more information, contact Mickey Cummings, Market Manager, at 706-439-6030.

Extra, Extra, Read all about it! The Union County Cannery is open for the season. Here's a wonderful opportunity to turn those phenomenal purchases you can so affordably buy in bulk at the Market, into canned goods you have on the shelf, year round. Bring your food, ready for processing, in to the Canning Plant, on Tuesday or Thursday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. The canning plant is currently located on Hughes St. (behind the old Health Department Building ).

Don't forget, the UC Farmers Market is open every Wednesday ( Civic Center ) and Saturday (Courthouse) from 7am – 1pm. Visit our website at www.UCFarmersMarket.com for lots of great recipes, interviews with our vendors and the latest Market news.