How 'Double Bucks' For Food Stamps Conquered Capitol Hill

[Seedersandleechers]

The federal government is about to put $100 million behind a simple idea: doubling the value of SNAP benefits — what used to be called food stamps — when people use them to buy local fruits and vegetables.

This idea did not start on Capitol Hill. It began as a local innovation at a few farmers' markets. But it proved remarkably popular and spread across the country.

"It's so simple, but it has such profound effects both for SNAP recipients and for local farmers," says Mike Appell, a vegetable farmer who sells his produce at a market in Tulsa, Okla.

The idea first surfaced in 2005 among workers at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. They were starting a campaign to get people to eat more fresh produce.


http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/11/10/361803607/how-double-bucks-for-food-stamps-conquered-capitol-hill

[progressoid]

1. Excellent idea.

Watch how fast the grocer lobbyists pounce on this.

[freshwest]

2. This is the program was started, to help people and farmers. Back to its original purpose, not the

subsidizing of agribusiness that lead to unworthy outcomes in society, health and the environment. An improvement I hope will continue nationally.