ReFRESHing News for Farmers Markets and Shoppers

This morning, Tim Carman for the The Washington Post reported great news from a new W.K. Kellogg Foundation Survey: Three quarters of Americans say they would support a national program that would double Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as SNAP or Food Stamp) benefits at farmers markets. And that's not all!

• 70 percent of respondents said they have purchased fresh produce from a farmers market or stand in the past year 
• 68 percent of those surveyed say they eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables than they did five years ago
• 63 percent of respondents say they know a lot or a little about where their fresh fruits and vegetables come from.
• 89 percent say their source for fresh fruits and vegetables is within walking distance or is a short drive away.
• 45 percent say they acquired fresh fruits and/or vegetables from their own garden within the past year.
• 93 percent say they think it’s “very important” or “somewhat important” to “make sure all Americans have equal access to fresh fruits and vegetables.”
• 64 percent say it’s “very important” that produce be grown in an “environmentally friendly way.
• 64 percent say it’s “very important” or “somewhat important” that produce be organic.
• 83 percent of those surveyed strongly or partly agree that “Washington, D.C., should shift its support more toward smaller, local fruit and vegetable farmers and away from large farm businesses." 

Check out what is going on in Maryland with regards to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and USDA here and here.