MAINE HARVEST BUCKS:  WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS

The Maine Harvest Bucks program doubles the amount SNAP customers can spend at the Bath Farmers Market (and at many other farmers markets around the state).  SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as food stamps).

 

During each Bath Farmers Market, at the Maine Harvest Bucks table (located near the center of the Bath Farmers Market on Commercial Street) in the summer, one of a group of Harvest Bucks volunteers provides green tokens to customers in exchange for SNAP card swipes. These tokens are accepted as cash by market vendors for all SNAP-eligible purchases, including meat, eggs, dairy, honey, cheese, dairy products, and all herbs, fruits and vegetables.  Customers are also given half as many of red Maine Harvest Bucks tokens (50% match) which can be used to buy fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible plant seedlings. 

 

In addition to making fresh, healthy, local food affordable to SNAP customers, volunteers also answer questions about the Harvest Bucks program.  If you want to learn more about how the program works, please stop to chat.  You can also read about the program at maineharvestbucks.org

 

HOW TO HELP

Harvest Bucks volunteers also provide Harvest Bucks tote bags, sturdy and strikingly designed, to people who wish to make a minimum $20 donation to support the Maine Harvest Bucks program at the Bath Farmers Market.  (See more under “Tote Bags” tab.)  These and all other donations support administrative costs for SNAP/Maine Harvest Bucks operations or are donated to the sponsor of the program:  the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets). Please consider supporting the program with a minimum $20 donation or any other amount you would like to give.

 

If you are interested in becoming a Maine Harvest Bucks volunteer, please contact Pat Haag, Volunteer Coordinator, at haagpw@gmail.com.  She will provide you a brief job description and a one-page application.

 

VOUNTEERS

Currently our volunteer team includes Phine Ewing (standby), Pat Haag, Allison Hepler, Jamie Pacheco, Molle Pacheco, Debbie Silverwolf, and Helen Webb.