Texas recipients of SNAP benefits can double the value of their benefits in one of the Farmer's Markets through its new "double up bucks" program. 

For every SNAP benefit spent at the Wichita Falls Farmer's Market Association (WFFMA), recipients will see those dollars matched with extra dollars that can be used to purchase fresh local fruits and produce, according to News Channel 6 Now.

West Texas Food Access Program manager Sarah Castro said they will match every dollar spent with their SNAP benefits with a double-up food buck.

The WFFMA noted that the program would be beneficial for both customers and vendors of the Farmer's Market.

Scott Poenitzch, WFFMA President, said farmers could hopefully get some increased sales with the program's implementation. Poenitzch noted that they hoped the program would bring more market traffic for all the vendors involved.

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Texas Farmer's Market

Two Austin-based Texas Farmer's Market locations are preparing for the launch of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children or WIC.

WIC, just like SNAP, is a federally funded health and nutrition program that provides aid to low-income families and children. While SNAP is accepted regularly, WIC is seasonal.

Community Impact reported that TFM Director of Marketing Julia Keim said they feel that access to more fresh and local produce is even more crucial with the inflation and frequent food shortages due to weather disruptions.

TFM noted that $75,000 in food assistance program benefits was distributed last year. The organization added that around 25% of the shoppers who redeemed benefits were new.

WIC participants will have to bring their shopping list to the food access both at select farmer's markets. They will then be given $30 in vouchers and automatically receive $30 in yellow Double Up Food Bucks.

Oxy and the West Food Bank partnered to create Oxy Farmer's Market Mobile Pantry truck, which was launched at Crocket Middle School in Pecos, News West 9 reported. The mobile pantry truck also aims to address hunger and food insecurity in the community.

Texas SNAP Benefits

Households receiving SNAP benefits in Texas also saw a minimum reduction of $95 in their benefits this month. Many anti-hunger groups and advocates projected that there would be growing food insecurity with such development.

Households in Texas facing difficulties due to the cut of extra allotments can get help from the San Antonio Food Bank, according to KSAT.

The food bank served more than 100,000 people every week in 2022, with the need for food being greater between the end of the holidays and just before the start of summer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected that all food prices would rise by 7.9% in 2023; the prices were already 9.4% higher in February 2023 than in February 2022, as The Guardian reported.

Since the end of the SNAP emergency allotments, food banks have been preparing for an expected surge of people looking for food.

READ MORE: SNAP Benefits Update: USDA Warns of Scammers Using EBT Card Skimming to Steal Your Money

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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