(BEREA, KENTUCKY — December 1, 2023) — The USDA has awarded Kentucky nonprofit Community Farm Alliance with 1.1 million dollars through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Fund for support of the Kentucky Double Dollars program. These funds will provide nutrition incentive funds for eligible farmers market and retail stores throughout the state from 2024 to 2026. SNAP benefit customers at participating outlets will receive additional funds towards the purchase of Kentucky-grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
“This funding it a big win for the people of Kentucky—hungry Kentucky families and the hard-working farmers who feed them,” said program director, Jamie Fitzwater. “Our program has provided over 3.5 million dollars in economic impact since 2017 and this grant award will exponentially grow that number.”
This iteration of the Kentucky Double Dollars program will continue to support the program at farmers markets, including the over fifty markets who already participate in the program. Additionally, a minimum of ten new retail outlets will be added, providing more accessibility to low income customers through expanded hours, but still supporting Kentucky farms by requiring outlets to purchase Kentucky-grown produce for the program.
Kentucky Double Dollars operates through a competitive grant process. Outlets, including farmers markets, community markets, farm stands, and retail stores are encouraged to learn more and apply at https://kentuckydoubledollars.org/offer-kdd/. This round of funding will be open to applicants across the state, but priority will be giving to those in high need areas such as eastern Kentucky and West Louisville.
Kentucky Double Dollars also receives funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, CoBank, and Farm Credit of Mid-America. .