SNAP at Farmers Markets
Many farmers markets throughout the region accept SNAP/EBT. Some also offer SNAP incentive programs, such as ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables. Find out more about SNAP at farmers markets and Double SNAP.
Farm Fresh Produce Prescription
As part of the Farm Fresh for Health initiative, ASAP is currently operating two Farm Fresh Produce Prescription models. In the farmers market model, participating healthcare providers can prescribe patients more fresh fruits and vegetables to help treat or prevent diet-related illness. Patients redeem their prescription for Farm Fresh Bucks, which can be spent on fruits and vegetables at a local farmers market. In the CSA model, a pilot program in Swain County, participants receive CSA-style produce boxes delivered weekly.
Appalachian Farms Feeding Families
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ASAP launched Appalachian Farms Feeding Families. The program aimed to help families struggling to access fresh foods as well as provide a market outlet for farms that had lost restaurant and other business customers during the lockdown. ASAP worked with food relief sites to assess needs on a community-by-community basis. Sites included food banks, charitable prepared food services, and child and adult care feeding sites. ASAP contracted with a farm in the same community to supply one or more sites. Over two years, the program distributed more than $300,000 in local food, partnering with with 55 farms and 72 feeding sites.
Appalachian Farms Feeding Families ended in 2022, but ASAP continues to facilitate conversations between feeding sites, farms, and funders to continue making local purchasing connections possible. Reach out to David Smiley with any questions.