This is such an obvious idea, you have to wonder why it took the state so long to do it:
Low-income families looking to eat healthier may now use their food stamp cards at more than 80 farmers’ markets around the state, according to a joint announcement today from Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez and Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher.
The new program provided the farmers’ market operators to the scanning equipment so people on food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, may use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to buy fresh produce, officials said.
The benefits of the program are myriad, including:
- Access to better quality fresh fruit and vegetables for food-stamp recipients, helping them stay healthier.
- Tax revenue generated by the farmers’ added income.
- Continued farming, which keeps development at bay.
Seven Central Jersey farms are participating:
- Asprocolas Acres in Millstone.
- Farmer Al’s in Monroe.
- K&S Farms in Cream Ridge.
- Naturally Grown Gardens in Hopewell.
- R&K Farm in Monroe.
- Stillwell Farms in Robbinsville.
- Von Thun’s Country Farm Market in South Brunswick
Hank Kalet 