Louisiana Legislature allocates $889,000
In an effort to support Louisiana farmers and families, the Louisiana Legislature appropriated $889,000 for Greaux the Good in the state budget to address food insecurity across the state. Greaux the Good is a new statewide program that provides Louisiana farmers markets and operations with funding to create or expand a Market Match SNAP program. Low-income shoppers will receive a dollar for dollar match for SNAP dollars they spend at participating farmers markets. Market Umbrella, the nonprofit organization that operates the Crescent City Farmers Markets in New Orleans, has been appointed to administer the funds to eligible farmers markets and operators statewide.
Greaux the Good’s legislative success and budget approval came following a successful advocacy campaign that began in March 2022. Market Umbrella, partnering with the Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA) and the New Orleans Food Policy Action Council (FPAC) with support from the American Heart Association Voices for Healthy Kids, led a campaign for funding to increase the purchasing power of SNAP beneficiaries at Louisiana farmers markets. House Concurrent Resolution 57 was introduced in the House by Rep. Jack McFarland (R) with 55 co-authors and an outpouring of support. Farmers from around the state passionately testified in House and Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committees about the multiple benefits to both farmers and families of fresh, locally grown produce. “Louisiana produces food that is second to none, and our state’s farmers and food producers are a vital part of our state’s economy. Greaux the Good will create new sales opportunities for them, and will help ensure more people in our state have access to fresh, local food,” said HCR 57’s author, Rep. McFarland.
According to the CDC, 32.7% of Louisiana adults consume vegetables less than one time daily. Louisiana ranks last in the U.S. for health outcomes, and poor diet is a contributing factor for the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Farmers markets across the state offer plentiful, locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly picked and ready to be enjoyed by all – but many Louisiana residents can’t afford to purchase a sufficient amount of fresh produce. Over 900,000 of Louisianans utilize SNAP to purchase groceries, but currently less than half of Louisiana farmers markets accept SNAP. Greaux the Good helps make it possible for more Louisiana farmers markets to match SNAP spending and incentivize the purchase of fresh, local food, positively impacting health outcomes for vulnerable shoppers and the local economy.
Greaux the Good is good for farmers and good for families. When selling food directly to shoppers, farmers make as much as 100% of every food dollar spent, compared to $0.14 on the dollar at traditional supermarkets. Double the shopping means double the earnings for local small farmers who often operate at a loss. The state also benefits by supporting this mutual exchange between local food producers and consumers, keeping more federal dollars in the state. “Right now only 0.007% of the SNAP benefits issued in FY 2020 in Louisiana were spent at farmers markets,” said Cordelia Heaney, Executive Director of Market Umbrella. “Providing more Louisiana farmers markets and operators with the ability to attract more SNAP shoppers is a major accomplishment in our work to support Louisiana farmers and food producers, as well as a way to positively impact food insecurity issues in our communities.”
Market Umbrella will be administering the new Greaux the Good program. Market Umbrella currently operates a successful privately- and federally-funded SNAP match program at Crescent City Farmers Markets, and has the experience and expertise to assist smaller Louisiana farmers markets with implementing these programs throughout the state.
