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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>Thousands benefit from doubling food stamp benefits at Farmers Markets<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i>And many more will get the chance to during the 2018 market season<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A <a href="http://missoulian.com/news/local/report-program-that-doubles-food-stamps-at-farmers-markets-boosts/article_badffcbb-58ec-5bbf-9d17-2c4da3cda970.html#tracking-source=home-trending">
recent story in The Missoulian</a> reported that nearly 2,500 Montanans have used Double SNAP Dollars – a program that matches the amount of SNAP benefits customers spend at local food outlets such as farmers markets (SNAP is a federal food assistance program
formerly known as Food Stamps). The purchases made by these customers totaled $274,000 – these dollars were spent and recirculated locally, and helped boost farmers’ income at market.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last year, it was reported that <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://missoulian.com/news/local/program-that-doubles-food-stamp-dollars-at-farmers-markets-in/article_b7a8161b-90e3-5c35-aff6-f078d3a740f1.html">funding for this program
was in jeopardy</a></span> and the program’s administering nonprofit, Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC), launched an end-of-summer fundraising campaign. Thanks to support from community members, local businesses and foundations such as Pacific
Source, United Way, Phyllis & Dennis Washington Foundation, Missoula Federal Credit Union, Northwestern Energy, and MMW Architects, Double SNAP Dollars is gearing up for another full farmers market season in Missoula in 2018.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another season of matching funds is good news for Montana, because impacts of the program far exceed simply its participation numbers or dollar sales, a new report found. Catie DeMets, a graduate student of the Environmental Studies program
at the University of Montana, completed an independent evaluation of the grant program that helped launch Double SNAP Dollars.
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<p class="MsoNormal">The report summarized a number of findings, including increased community connection for farmers and Double SNAP Dollars customers alike.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To read the full report, visit the <span class="MsoHyperlink">
<a href="https://missoulacfac.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/intangible-benefits-of-double-snap-dollars-are-most-profound/">CFAC blog</a></span>.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">CFAC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Missoula. We are working to increase the production and consumption of sustainable, local food – so that everyone has local food to nourish their bodies, farmers are successful, and farmland is in active
production. CFAC is humbled by the stories included in this report and excited to continue the Double SNAP Dollars program into the 2018 season and beyond.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Missoula, the Missoula Farmers Market and Clark Fork Market are offering Double SNAP Dollars every Saturday through October and Tuesdays (at the Missoula Farmers Market only) starting at the end of June. The Western Montana Growers Cooperative
offers Double SNAP Dollars for their community-supported agriculture program. For more information about Double SNAP Dollars visit
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="DoubleDollarsMT.com">DoubleDollarsMT.com</a></span>.
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<p class="MsoNormal">To learn more about how CFAC is working toward a sustainable local food system, visit
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.missoulacfac.org">www.missoulacfac.org</a></span> or contact us at
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:cfacinfo@missoulacfac.org">cfacinfo@missoulacfac.org</a>.</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
Krystin Gehrich | Development & Communications Coordinator<br>
Community Food & Agriculture Coalition<br>
Office 328 E. Main Street Suite 1 <br>
Mail P.O.Box 7025, Missoula, MT 59807<br>
Phone 406-926-1004 <br>
www.MissoulaCFAC.org</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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