Even though summer is over, local farmers’ markets will continue through October, while making fresh local produce available to those in need through the state’s Healthy Incentive Program (HIP).
HIP allows those who are receiving food assistance through SNAP to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmer’s markets with money from HIP replenishing the money used from SNAP benefits to pay for their produce.
The program has been in existence for four years and according to Winton Pitcoff, Director of the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, the number of those in need benefitting from HIP has grown…as has the bounty for local farmers.
Sarah Labossier from Mass in Motion Fall River says within the city, the awareness of HIP and local farmers’ markets have made a positive impact on the overall health of local residents.
Pitcoff says his organization is partnering with others to make sure HIP becomes a permanent program.
The Fall River farmers’ markets take place Tuesdays from 11 am to 2 pm at St. Anne’s Hospital, Wednesdays from 2 pm to 5 pm at HealthFirst Family Care Center and Fridays from 2 pm to 5 pm at Cardinal Medeiros Towers.
Comments are closed.