A new program in Fayette County aims to help place healthy produce on the tables of more low income families. As WEKU'S Jonese Franklin reports, funding for the initiative comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Bluegrass Double Dollars program aims to improve the affordability and accessibility of local fruits and vegetables for low income consumers. Local Food Coordinator Ashton Potter Wright says participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP will benefit as well as area family farms. SNAP users who make a qualifying purchase of ten dollars or more will receive a voucher of similar value. The voucher can then be used toward the purchase of fresh, frozen or canned local fruits and vegetables; local herbs; and local fruit and vegetable garden ready transplants. Bluegrass Double Dollars is scheduled to launch in June and run through November.