WABASH, IN—Downtown Wabash, Inc., organizer of the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market, received a $5,000 grant from Double Up Indiana for operations and Double Up incentives toward the 2023 market season in Downtown Wabash, Ind.
Double Up Indiana is a program that provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers free fruits and vegetables when they use their SNAP/EBT card. For each $1 spent in SNAP at the market, customers earn $1 in Double Up incentives to buy fruits and vegetables at the same market. Each customer is limited to earning $20 per day in Double Up incentives.
The goal of the program is to allow local families to purchase fresh, healthy food at affordable prices while also supporting local farmers and local economic growth.
In 2022, the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market generated more than $150,000 in handmade, homemade and homegrown vendor sales. With more than 45 vendors throughout the season, the financial impact on the local economy is significant. According to American Express, 67¢ of every dollar spent at local farms and small businesses stays within the local economy.
“Receiving this Double Up grant shows the socioeconomic benefit to the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market, which will be utilized for 21 weeks in 2023,” Downtown Wabash, Inc. Market Coordinator Carly Hawkins said. “We’re so excited to offer these Double Up incentives to market-goers starting on opening day, May 13.”
Double Up Indiana is a program of the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation in Fort Wayne, Ind. and is funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Purdue Extension Community Wellness Coordinators provide technical assistance to market managers.
The program is sponsored by the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation with funding from the Indiana Department of Health, made possible by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Downtown Wabash Farmers Market will enter its 16th season in 2023 and run every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. – noon starting May 13 – Sept. 30.
For more information about the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market or to become a 2023 vendor, visit DowntownWabash.org or follow along on Facebook and Instagram or contact Carly Hawkins via carly@downtownwabash.org or 260.563.0975.
