Latest news with #DoubleUpFoodBucks
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal and state funding cuts could affect local farmers' markets
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Ashley Cavender is the Equitable Nutrition and Food Access Director at Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development, or ARC&D. Cavender said that recent funding freezes and cuts to state programs, as well as proposed funding cuts to federal programs, could affect local farmers' markets and the farmers who rely on them. 'I see on a daily basis how many consumers come to spend their SNAP and benefits at farmers markets, and I see the benefit that the farmers receive in that as well,' said Cavender. 'So, it's also going to affect consumer is being able to come to the market and also it's going to affect their access to whole foods.' Fort Blackmore United Methodist Camp opening new public pool in Scott Co. Heather Shipley is the president of the Johnson City Farmers' Market. She says one of the SNAP programs being cut is the Double Up Food Bucks, which doubles the amount of produce you can buy up to $20. 'They're limited now to dollars that they do have at the farmer's market or at the grocery store, wherever they decide to get their food items,' said Shipley. 'If you're not spending that $10 with us, you're going to spend it somewhere else, you're going to look for more bang for your buck.' Cavender said last year that shoppers spent $19,000 in double-up food bucks at Northeast Tennessee farmers' markets. She also said these cuts will affect farmers who provide the produce for farmers' markets. 'All of that money that is generated just through SNAP and EBT alone is a really large number. So, their income is going to be affected, and we're also seeing where federal funding is being cut for our farmers as well. So, any of those alternative options that they could seek out are also not an option.' 'When it comes to even our programming, we're at risk of having federal funding cuts as well.' Shipley and Cavender said there are ways the public can help. 'You can actually, as an individual or a company, is sponsor the EBT program yourself, whether you make a onetime donation or you make maybe a seasonal donation,' said Shipley. 'Go to your local farmer,' said Cavender. 'The prices are honestly at this point, probably less. They've always been a little higher. But go to your local farmers markets, go to your local grocery stores and try to purchase this locally as possible, because they're going to need that now more than ever.' Cavender also said that incentive programs, such as those at farmers' markets, are at risk. One incentive program is the Farmacy Fit program, offered in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health. This grant awards tokens to those who walk a mile at the farmer's market to spend on certain products. Cavender said the Department of Health has delayed the funding cycle, meaning they will not know for sure if ARC&D will receive the grant until July. Deborah Byrd, executive director of Jonesborough Locally Grown, said they have their own private walking program, called the Farm Fresh Fit Walking Program. In a statement, Byrd says: 'We are able to continue our private walking program but don't have the funds to last all summer for the number of participants we've had, so we'll have to limit the number of participants until we have more funding.' Deborah Byrd, executive director of Jonesborough Locally Grown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KeyBank Delavan-Grider Farmers Market to Return to East Buffalo on Thursday May 29th
BUFFALO, NY / / May 23, 2025 / Weekly market will help address food insecurity by providing fresh, local produce to the East Buffalo community KeyBank is partnering with Buffalo GoGreen and Providence Farm Collective for the fourth consecutive year to launch a weekly farmers market in the city's Delavan-Grider neighborhood. The market helps address food insecurity by bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods with few options. The market will be held at the Delavan-Grider Community Center located at 877 East Delavan Avenue. It will take place from 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. each Thursday from May 29 through fall. The market is planned to run rain or shine, with the facility gymnasium designated as an alternate location in the case of inclement weather. "We're excited to bring the Delevan-Grider Farmers Market back once again this year," said Chiwuike "Chi-Chi" Owunwanne, Corporate Responsibility Officer for KeyBank in Buffalo. "Although there's been progress, food insecurity is still a real problem in this community. We're proud to do our part alongside Buffalo GoGreen and Providence Farm Collective to provide access to basic resources, like fresh produce, to help our neighbors in East Buffalo thrive." In addition to produce vendors, other merchants from around Western New York will take part in the market. Accepted forms of payment are cash, checks, Mastercard, Visa, SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC and Senior Farmers checks. In addition, those who sign up on site for the Double Up Food Bucks program will receive a $10 food voucher to the market courtesy of KeyBank. ABOUT KEYCORP In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit KeyBank Member FDIC. ### View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on Contact Info:Spokesperson: KeyBankWebsite: info@ SOURCE: KeyBank View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Reynolds' waiver to limit eligible food under SNAP approved
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' waiver to restrict the list of food eligible to be purchased under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was approved. Reynolds and Iowa Health and Human Services submitted the waiver requesting that certain items like candy, soda, and even certain granola bars be ineligible to obtain with SNAP benefits to the United States Department of Agriculture last week. On Thursday, Reynolds' office announced that USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins approved the waiver. According to the governor's office, the waiver allows SNAP recipients to purchase foods that are non-taxable under Iowa law. That means recipients would not be able to purchase food subject to sales tax, which includes things like candy, ready-to-eat kettle corn or caramel corn, marshmallows, soda, and fruit juices that contain less than 50% fruit or vegetable juice. Reynolds said the waiver's approval will help promote healthy eating in the state. 'Soaring obesity rates have brought our nation and state to a crossroads,' Reynolds said in a statement. 'To promote healthy eating and protect future generations from disease — and to ensure SNAP fulfills its core function — we need a change. Thank you to Secretary Rollins and her team for helping make that change happen.' PCSO reporting outage of Runnells outdoor warning siren However, critics of the waiver like the Iowa Hunger Coalition said that the restriction of foods eligible under SNAP doesn't address the issue of food insecurity. 'I don't think this is really the right way to get low income Iowans eating healthier,' Luke Elzinga, chair of IHC and Policy and Advocacy Manager at DMARC, told WHO 13 last week. 'We need to be looking at solutions that will increase the affordability and accessibility of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods for low income Iowans. This [the waiver] just really sends the message that the state of Iowa doesn't trust low-income families to make the best food choices for their family. We don't think this ban will be effective, and we'd really like to see some solutions and evidence-based proven interventions like Double Up Food Bucks. The governor actually even mentioned that in her waiver request. So again, we think there are proven solutions to increase healthy eating, but this is not one.' Iowa is now the second state to have a waiver request to limit eligible foods under SNAP approved by the USDA. On Monday, Rollins approved Nebraska's request to ban soda and energy drinks. 'President Trump has given our nation a once in a generation opportunity to change the health trajectory for our entire country,' Rollins said on Thursday. 'On my first day as secretary, I sent a call to states to innovate, and Governor Kim Reynolds stepped up to take action. I look forward to signing even more waivers in the days ahead as we continue to restore the health of our country.' So far, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are all considering implementing similar changes to SNAP. Iowa's waiver will take effect on January 1, 2026. Iowa News: New Iowa Falls museum opens to honor local veterans Gov. Reynolds' waiver to limit eligible food under SNAP approved Arrest made in Ames vehicle burglaries Brock Purdy avoided offseason drama before signing 5-year, $265 million extension with the 49ers Gabe on the Go: Growing a legacy at Reed's Greenhouse in Colfax Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Daily Table Suddenly Closing All Locations
A popular healthy grocery chain started by a former Trader Joe's president suddenly closed all of its locations all of its locations. Ten years ago, a former Trader Joe's president founded Daily Table to make nutritious food affordable, but just a decade later the chain is closing all four of its locations after closing a fifth in 2024. 'It was not a decision we wanted to make,' Sasha Purpura, Daily Table's CEO, said in a statement to 'But we had no choice. It was an economic decision.' The chain that served over three million customers and returned over $16 million in savings to the community, issued a letter to its customers. 'We are deeply grateful to every person, and organization, who has supported our mission since 2015 — donors, suppliers, customers, volunteers, and community partners,' the Daily Table Board of Directors' letter said. 'Your belief in the power of dignity, health, and access has enabled us to impact hundreds of thousands of lives.' The chain plans to sell off its inventory over the next few days at a discounted price until they cease operations. Purpura revealed the grocery chain's economic woes began during the COVID-19 pandemic after customers started avoiding brick-and-mortar stores. The nonprofit's goal to provide food without passing the cost to the customers became more challenging following the rising cost of food. According to Daily Table lost its USDA aid last fall through the Double Up Food Bucks program, which provided SNAP customers a 50% discount on fresh produce purchases and half off nonfat and 1% milk. 'We have been trying to get through this challenging time, but in the end, we do not have the money,' Purpura said. 'It has been heart-wrenching for all of us.'Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Reynolds requests waiver to make certain foods ineligible under SNAP
DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds continues to make moves to try to make Iowa's food programs healthier. This time she submitted a request to limit certain foods under SNAP, the food benefit program for low-income families. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal program though the USDA. Reynolds has requested a waiver to make some items ineligible to obtain. SNAP participants would not be able to buy food products subject to state sales tax. This would include things like candy, breath mints, dried fruit leathers, kettle corn, certain granola bars, soft drinks, certain fruit punches, and more. If it goes through, it would go into effect January 1. Some local groups do not agree with this, like the Iowa Hunger Coalition. 'I don't think this is really the right way to get low income Iowans eating healthier. We need to be looking at solutions that will increase the affordability and accessibility of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods for low income Iowans,' said Luke Elzinga, chair of IHC and Policy & Advocacy Manager at DMARC. 'This just really sends the message that the state of Iowa doesn't trust low-income families to make the best food choices for their family. We don't think this ban will be effective, and we'd really like to see some solutions and evidence-based proven interventions like Double Up Food Bucks. The governor actually even mentioned that in her waiver request. So again, we think there are proven solutions to increase healthy eating, but this is not one.' 3 charged in Dallas County fire that caused over $800k in damage to bike trail bridge In Reynolds' letter to U.S Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to support her waiver request, Reynolds said, 'We can and must do better for Americans and Iowans by encouraging healthy choices that will help people thrive, not simply providing cash benefits with no focus on holistic well-being.' Reynolds went on to say that 'Iowa has proven our commitment to innovation and change – all with a focus on improved health and well-being for our families, communities, and farmers.' Reynolds also just received a USDA waiver to opt out of the federal government's summer feeding program and launch its own program 'Healthy Kids Iowa' to serve low income kids during the summer months. In this program eligible families will have access to $40 of food per month per child, focusing on nutritionally balanced food. That program has been approved, but the SNAP waiver has not yet. 'I think there's been a lot of work over the years to reduce stigma around food insecurity in general, around participation in SNAP. This is a step in the wrong direction,' Elzinga said. 'This will create more stigma. I think when people are going to a grocery store and maybe purchasing something that is more processed, more calorie dense, but might be cheaper with their SNAP benefits, they are making a rational decision for their household. Here's what I can afford. Here's what I have time to cook. Here's something my kids are going to eat.' That doesn't mean Elzinga disagrees with the governor about wanting to provide healthy options. 'I think we agree in this goal of wanting to increase healthy eating, let's invest in solutions that get to that affordability piece,' he said. Iowa News: NASCAR Cup Series Driver Cole Custer visits elementary students in Newton Another windy day ahead as temps cool Reynolds requests waiver to make certain foods ineligible under SNAP Funko Pop! figures of Caitlin Clark, other WNBA stars coming — how to get them 3 charged in Dallas County fire that caused over $800k in damage to bike trail bridge Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
