Governor Bill Richardson Announces Recovery Act Award to Help Connect Farmers Markets with New Mexicans Receiving Nutrition Assistance
 
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson announced today he has committed $50,000 in Recovery Act funds to give New Mexicans who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) more options to purchase fresh food and produce.
 
“New Mexico families who receive a SNAP benefit will now have more purchasing power at several farmers’ markets across the state as their benefit will be matched dollar for dollar with the additional recovery funds,” said Governor Richardson.  “Families that use their SNAP benefits at farmers’ markets ensure their dollars are being spent locally, which also helps local farmers.”
 
Forty-seven thousand dollars of the award from the discretionary Government Services Fund will establish a matching program for SNAP recipients that choose to purchase their food at farmers markets. For example, if someone in the program buys $10 worth of produce at a farmers market, then the state will match that by adding another $10 to that person’s benefits, which must be used at the market.
 
There are currently 13 farmers markets that have the capability of accepting SNAP benefits through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.  The additional $3,000 of funding will help encourage SNAP beneficiaries to shop at local farmers markets as well as assist the markets with supplies to accommodate SNAP participation.
 
“We are pleased to work so closely with the farmers’ markets across the state to help New Mexico families purchase nutritious fresh produce with their SNAP benefit,” said Katie Falls, Human Services Department Secretary.  “This additional funding is arriving at a good time, as harvest season is in full swing making it the perfect opportunity for SNAP recipients to learn what’s available with their additional funding.”
 
The NM farmers’ markets accepting SNAP benefits are:
        Silver City Farmers Market  - Silver City
        Santa Fe Farmers Market – Santa Fe
        Clovis Farmers Market – Clovis
        Espanola Farmers Market – Espanola
        Downtown Growers Market – Albuquerque
        Belen Farmers Market -  Belen
        El Valle Farmers Market – Ribera
        Los Lunas Farmers Market – Los Lunas
        Sierra County Farmers Market – Truth or Consequences
        Farmington Growers Market – Farmington
        Shiprock Farmers Market – Shiprock
        Bernalillo Farmers Market – Bernalillo
        Edgewood Farmers Market – Edgewood
 
The SNAP program currently serves more than 157,000 New Mexico families with incomes up to 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For example, a family of four with a monthly income below $3,032 would likely qualify.
 
To find out if your family qualifies for the SNAP program, visit www.hsd.state.nm.us and click on the “Do I Qualify” icon or call 1-888-473-3676.