At a time when most Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits seem to be shrinking, those offered through the Fresh & Local Market at N.C. A&T State University are increasing. That’s good news for people in the local community who are trying to stretch their dollars.
For every $1, SNAP recipients can receive $4 worth of fresh produce at this year’s market. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays outside of the Alvin V. Bount Jr. Student Health Center.
The market, funded by a $99,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, launched in 2023. “It started out as double bucks, then we tripled it, and then this final year, we're quadrupling it,” said Shewana McSwain, Try Healthy/SNAP-ED coordinator with Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T.
“The grant will run out the end of August, so we really want to go out with the bang and serve as many families and students as we possibly can,” said McSwain.
Partners on the project include Rosalind Dale, Ed.D., vice provost for Engagement and Outreach; Yolanda Nicholson, DNP, of Student Health Services; and Raymond Samuel, M.D., Ph.D., professor of biology in the College of Science and Technology.
The project initially offered Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes from local farmers to the SNAP participants at half price. However, organizers adapted it over time to allow the sale of individual items, including produce, eggs and meat.
“We have always had the market here on our campus. Once we saw the participation of our students, we changed the project to also include them,” said Dale, the project lead. She stressed that only SNAP recipients can get the four for a dollar deal. People can sign up for SNAP benefits at the market.
McSwain said she sees families coming back again and again. “They’re benefiting from the produce,” she said. “They talk about how their families are eating better.”
