FRESH BUCKS IN SEATTLE
Increased Purchasing Power for Low-Income Shoppers
Fresh Bucks Defined:



Now in it’s 3rd year, Fresh Bucks is a SNAP-matching
program at 16 Seattle Farmers Markets and 2 P-Patch
Market Garden Farm Stands.
Fresh Bucks matches for produce purchases only, including
fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, and vegetable starts.
Matching funds are provided $2:$2, up to a total of $10
per shopper per market per day.



If shoppers want to go to multiple markets in one day, they can
receive a match at all open markets for each day of the week.
Fresh Bucks is available as markets are open from May
through December, 2014.
Fresh Bucks is a collaborative effort between the City of
Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, the
Washington State Farmers Market Association, and four
farmers market organizations in Seattle
How Fresh Bucks Works:
Why Fresh Bucks?:



Increased purchasing power for low-income
shoppers, as well as purchase and consumption of
fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables.
Fresh Bucks puts dollars directly into local farmers’
pockets, investing in our state’s rural economy.
By encouraging low-income shoppers to use local
farmers markets, farmers markets retain viability as
positive community spaces and marketplaces for
direct-marketing farmers.
Fresh Bucks History:






Pilot in 2012 with 7 markets operated by a single market
organization.
JPMorgan Chase provided founding funding via the Seattle
Foundation.
Fresh Bucks increased SNAP sales at pilot markets by up to
85% during pilot season.
2013 season expanded to 8 more markets and three
additional market organization partners with funding from
JPMorgan Chase and the City of Seattle.
The initial 2013 Fresh Bucks season of July-October was
expanded for markets that remained open through
December 31.
JPMorgan Chase has returned as a partner, however the
City of Seattle has stepped in with a greater commitment to
Fresh Bucks, tripling 2013’s funding.
Fresh Bucks 2013 Highlights:

Partner University of Washington Center for Public
Health Nutrition ran surveys at the majority of Fresh
Bucks locations in 2013:
 90%
of Fresh Bucks survey respondents reported that
they consumed more fruits and vegetables as a result
of the program.
 95% of Fresh Bucks survey respondents reported that
the program made a difference in their family’s diets.
 Over 3,000 individuals shoppers participated in 2013,
receiving $70,000 in Fresh Bucks currency.
2014 Participating Farmers Markets:
MON
First Hill (NEW!): 10am-2pm; Seneca St & Terry Ave
TUES
City Hall: 10am-2pm; 4th Ave btwn James & Cherry
WED
Pioneer Square: 10am-2pm; Occidental &Washington
Columbia City: 3-7pm; S Edmund St & 37th Ave S
Wallingford: 3:30-7pm; N 50th St & Meridian Ave N
High Point Farm Stand: 4-7pm; 32nd Ave SW & Juneau
THURS
South Lake Union: 10am-2pm; Terry Ave N & Harrison
Lake City: 3-7pm; NE 125th St & 28th Ave NE
Queen Anne: 3-7:30pm; Queen Anne & W Crockett
FRI
Phinney: 3-7pm; N 67th St and Phinney Ave N
Pike Place: 10am-4pm; Pike Place Market
Madrona: 3-7pm; Grocery Outlet, MLK & E Union St
New Holly Farm Stand: 4-7pm; 42nd S & S Rockery
SAT
Magnolia: 10am-2pm; W McGraw St & 33rd Ave W
Pike Place: 10am-4pm; Pike Place Market
University District: 9am-2pm; University Wy & NE 50th St
SUN
Ballard: 10am-3:00pm; Ballard Ave NW & 22nd Ave NW
Broadway: 11am-3pm; Broadway Ave & E Pine St
Pike Place: 10am-4pm; Pike Place Market
West Seattle: 10am-2pm; 44th Ave SW & SW Alaska St
Contact:
Fresh Bucks Program Coordinator, Sophie Kauffman:
[email protected], (206) 450-3000.
Questions?
Find out more:
www.wafarmersmarkets.com/foodaccess/freshb
ucks