Whether states can dole out full benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is unclear after the U.S Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration to temporarily block funding for food stamps, shortly after funding returned.
In the Northwest, farmers market organizers are fearful of how the disruptions to SNAP will impact customers and producers. SNAP provides financial assistance for eligible households to purchase food, including at places like the Downtown Yakima Farmers Market. People who receive SNAP benefits can get tokens to buy fruits, vegetables, meat and many other items at farmers markets.
Yakima County has the highest percentage of residents receiving food stamps in Washington, with more than 57,000 people in the county relying on SNAP, according to a report from the U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
“ Not only are the people in our community not able to redeem those [benefits]; it's then going to affect our farmers,” Heidi Washam, Downtown Yakima Farmers Market manager, said.
The market had over $20,000 in SNAP sales this year, said Washam.
She said that money keeps small farms running, and encourages people to get local, fresh produce.
The Washington State Farmers Market Association hosts the “SNAP Market Match” program. People can go to participating farmers market information booths to get up to $25 in market match “money” to purchase fresh food.
At some farmers markets, SNAP recipients can swipe their Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which holds the funds for their food stamps,in exchange for EBT tokens and SNAP Market Match dollars. Markets match $25 per day, so if someone spends $10 on their EBT card, they can receive $10 more in Market Match dollars, doubling the amount they can spend. .
“There’s definitely going to be a ripple effect there and it’s affecting the wrong people. It’s a very negative impact on farmers markets,” Washam said. “I think a lot of people may think farmers markets are too expensive and they don’t want to buy food here. The Match program is really wonderful for the people that want to believe in eating fresh and local food.”
Ted LeRoy, administrative manager at Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market, said because of cuts to food stamps, the SNAP Market Match program won't be able to match the same amount next year.
“At the market you get to meet the people who grew your food face to face. How special is that? Farmers are excited to talk about their produce. You can’t get that at a grocery store. It’s an educational experience too,” said LeRoy.
More than 9,000 people receive SNAP benefits in Chelan County, upwards of 18,000 people in Grant, and more than 4,000 people in Douglas, according to Cantwell's office.
On Friday, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson announced that households that were scheduled to receive their monthly benefits between Nov. 1 and Nov. 7 had received 100% of their SNAP benefits for November. The Trump administration is currently ordering states to undo SNAP benefits that were paid out under judicial orders, according to a report by the AP.
After days of delays caused by the federal shutdown, Ferguson announced that Washington resumed its regular SNAP payment schedule and delivered nearly $115 million in benefits so far this month.
“We have approximately $48.5 million to send out between tomorrow and November 20. The situation remains fluid, but our plan is to stay on schedule from here on out. People who receive SNAP benefits should check their cards. If there are funds available, they should use their cards as they normally would. It is breathtaking that the Trump Administration has fought so hard to keep food from hungry families,” said Ferguson in an emailed statement on Monday.
According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, December benefits remain uncertain. If SNAP recipients still have funds, they will roll over into the next month, according to the department.
