SNAP Stretch program, which benefits shoppers at farmers' markets, paused

“[The program] helps farmers, it helps local businesses. It feeds people. It keeps more dollars in the state rather than it leaving. The food they’re getting is also more nutritious,� communications and legislative policy coordinator Cordel Bostic said.

But the program has been rapidly growing since it started in 2018, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the numbers

Executive Director Spencer Moss said the program started with a pilot grant from the USDA, giving out $60,000 in 2018 and 2019. When the pandemic hit, however, the cost of the program jumped to around $500,000 with more people using it for local produce.

Meanwhile, the coalition has been fundraising “like crazy� to cover the costs, Moss said.

“This program has been a lifeline for particularly a lot of seniors — as costs have almost doubled — and a lot of low income families, and so there’s a lot of folks who really rely on this program, and we are sick over the fact that it has to be paused,� Moss said. “We just don’t have the money coming in like we did during COVID.�

According to a release, the program has supported more than 79,279 families and returned about $3 million to the local agricultural sector since its inception, with participants reporting increased vegetable and fruit intake.

Moss said the coalition’s funding goal is $500,000, which they need to secure a $500,000 USDA match grant. She said the funds have to come from either local or private foundations or state funding.

So far, Moss said the coalition has reached out to Gov. Jim Justice’s office, which previously gave them over $200,000 in Cares Act money during the pandemic. She said it’s unclear if any funding will be granted yet.

Justice’s office did not respond to a request for more information.

Affecting 26 W.Va. markets

The program’s pause is affecting 26 local markets in West Virginia who participate in SNAP Stretch, including The Wild Ramp in Huntington and Capitol Market in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.

Rebecca Gray, market director at The Wild Ramp, said the pause has already had an effect on the business. A cut in sales affects the number of hours available for employees to work. She said 20% of every transaction goes back to The Wild Ramp, and the rest goes to local farmers.

“And then the other heartbreaking thing that I’m seeing are farmers who brought produce in, and then it is going bad,� Gray said.

She said the market’s chefs will occasionally try to use the leftover produce in the Harvest Kitchen to create meals or compost through the Marshall University sustainability department, but there is still loss.

Capitol Market looking for other funding

Mariah Zion, administrative office coordinator at Capitol Market, said they have received additional grant funds to continue the SNAP Stretch program at their location for the time being.

Meanwhile, Cyndi Kirkhart, CEO of Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, said the organization has heard of the pause, and has seen an overall increase in those who use the food bank of about 25%.

“Based on how people budget and the needs of their families,� Kirkhart said, “that may clearly impact their use of emergency hunger relief, so we’re sorry to hear about any kind of pause to a program that is so effective at helping families be able to access more healthy and nutritious foods.�