NJ Human Services Commissioner Johnson Visits New Brunswick Farmers Market to Highlight SNAP Benefits

NJ Human Services Commissioner Johnson Visits New Brunswick Farmers Market to Highlight SNAP Benefits

Participants can use their SNAP card at participating farmers markets just as they would at their local supermarket to access just-picked seasonal produce other offerings. 

August 14, 2018

(NEW BRUNSWICK) – This summer, eating healthy can be a SNAP.

New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson visited the New Brunswick Community Farmers’ Market on Tuesday to highlight the importance of the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Access Program, also known as SNAP.

Participants can use their SNAP card at participating farmers markets just as they would at their local supermarket to access just-picked seasonal produce other offerings. 

“Farmers markets are a great place to access farm fresh produce and other healthy options for your families,” Commissioner Johnson said. “Giving people the option to redeem SNAP benefits at farmers markets is a win-win, enabling customers’ access to healthy foods while supporting our local farmers. SNAP is a key resource in helping to combat food insecurity, and farmers markets are well-positioned to help New Jersey families.”

The New Brunswick Community Farmers’ Market also matches every SNAP dollar spent with Market Bucks up to $10 per day that shoppers can use towards free fruits and vegetables.

“This market was founded largely in response to a growing awareness of food insecurity, specifically the lack of fresh fruit and vegetable access in the city,” said Lauren Errickson, Senior Program Coordinator of the New Brunswick Community Farmers’ Market. “Accepting food assistance benefits at our markets has been important to us since the beginning, and we do our best to offer consistent incentive programs.”

The visit comes amid talk of potentially devastating SNAP cuts from Washington, which would impact tens of thousands of New Jerseyans.

“SNAP is the front line of defense against hunger. The proposed cuts to SNAP in the House version of the farm bill would mean more hungry people in our state,” said Adele LaTourette, Director of New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition. “Food pantries and soup kitchens won’t have the capacity to meet the demand if these proposals go through.” 

 More than 740,000 people in the New Jersey receive SNAP benefits to assist with the cost of food. 

“The Department of Human Services is committed to helping New Jersey families thrive, and SNAP is vital to our ability to achieve this goal,” Commissioner Johnson said.