Center for Regional Food Systems

This webinar debuts new findings of a recent study of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the healthy food incentive program Double Up Food Bucks activity at Michigan farmers markets. The study, conducted by Michigan State University in partnership with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Fair Food Network, found that offering SNAP and Double Up at markets resulted in positive and distinct increases to direct agricultural sales beyond the value of the benefits themselves. It also reveals data-driven insights into SNAP families’ shopping behaviors when incentives are in place. Market vendors, managers, and SNAP incentive practitioners are invited to learn what the data tell us about the economic benefit of incentives, factors influencing program activity, vendor perceptions, and opportunities for the future including how this new methodology can measure impact of incentive programs across the country.

This series is a joint effort of the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Michigan Farmers Market Association, and Fair Food Network.

Featured speakers include:

• Oran Hesterman, President + CEO, Fair Food Network
• Jeff O’Hara, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Marketing Service
• Dru Montri, Executive Director, Michigan Farmers Market Association
• Amanda Shreve, Program Director, Michigan Farmers Market Association
• John Mann, Assistant Professor of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University
• Kate Fitzgerald, Food Systems Consultant
• Moderator: Laura Goddeeris, Specialist, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

Economics of Healthy Food Incentives at Michigan Farmers Markets Webinar Slides 

Webinar Q&A Summary