All three Whatcom County Farmers markets that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Market Match will offer unlimited matches on local produce in the 2024 market season. This program is made possible through $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars allocated by Whatcom County to support local farmers and improve food security.
Local markets participating in the program are Twin Sisters Mobile Market, Lynden Farmers Market, and the Bellingham Farmers Market.
SNAP Market Match is a nutrition incentive program that helps families and individuals who use SNAP/EBT increase their ability to purchase fresh and local fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets. SNAP users visiting farmers markets can receive a dollar for dollar match — meaning they will get half off their entire purchase, with no transaction limit. Pandemic-era programs allowed for a $40 per person match in 2022, but was reduced to only a $25 match in 2023. Funds from Whatcom County will allow markets to offer an unlimited match to SNAP users.
This program stimulates our local food economy by promoting locally-grown food while also encouraging participants to eat more fruits and vegetables. Keeping food dollars in our local economy supports our county’s farmers.
In 2023, a $36,000 PeaceHealth Community Benefit Grant launched Whatcom County’s first unlimited Market Match pilot program — allowing both Lynden Farmers Market and Twin Sisters Mobile Market to offer unlimited matches to customers using SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). Twin Sisters Mobile Market brings its custom, solar-powered mobile farmers market truck directly to three underserved “food desert” locations: Kendall, Deming, and Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood. The pilot program significantly improved food access for low-income residents. The markets also saw significant customer demand as part of the program. Twin Sisters Mobile Market, for example, witnessed a staggering 92% increase in SNAP/Market Match use in June 2023 compared to the previous year.
"We're so thankful for PeaceHealth’s support last year. This match comes at a critical time when families are struggling to balance increased costs of food, housing, childcare, and transportation. Offering unlimited Market Match allows us to offer the high-quality, local, wholesome food we’re known for at pricing that’s competitive with big box retailers. That’s a big deal for families who want to make every dollar count."
Bellingham Farmers Market, which only offered a $25 match during the 2023 market year, saw a dramatic decrease in SNAP sales. Anna Martin, owner of Osprey Hill Farm and Bellingham Farmers Market Association’s Board President, heard her customers loud and clear.
“SNAP users shared their frustrations with the Market Match reduction. They knew about the unlimited match at other markets and decided to shop at those markets instead. It is important to me and our market that we are accessible to everyone.”
Economic inflation has impacted food producers and consumers. Market Match allows farmers to sell produce at a sustainable price and affords SNAP users the capacity to purchase healthy, local food. As Whatcom County begins to implement the Whatcom County Food System Plan, this program is a demonstration of a systemic approach to improving our food system. This program addresses two goals in the Food System Plan:
2024 Market Days and Times:
“As we look to the future, the Market Match program remains a vital resource for SNAP users and local farmers alike. This project aims to foster healthier communities and economies, which are directly aligned with the Food System Plan,” says Rhys-Thorvald Hansen, Chair of the Whatcom County Food System Committee.
