Farmers Markets in Nashville, Tulsa Expand SNAP Benefit Matching to Aid Families

Nashville has launched the Fresh Bucks program, matching SNAP/EBT purchases dollar-for-dollar up to $100 at the Nashville Farmers’ Market so shoppers can double their spending on fresh food by bringing their EBT receipt to information booth 173 (typically open Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.). The initiative, announced by Mayor Freddie O’Connell and supported by a Tennessee Department of Health grant, is intended to blunt the impact of a possible lapse in federal food aid that could affect nearly 700,000 Tennesseans and to boost income for local farmers. Participating vendors include Smiley’s Farms, Plano Produce, Hancock Family Farms and Hext Quality Meat, and market leaders say demand has increased amid local grocery closures. In Tulsa, the Tulsa Farmers’ Market will begin offering SNAP cardholders $20 in community tokens at the token/management booth starting Nov. 1 (participants must show their SNAP card and ID), with the program limited to roughly 70–100 households per market day and running through the end of the year. The Tulsa effort is funded by private donors and community partners, is accepting donations (with local matching pledges), and organizers hope to expand the program as more funds arrive. Both programs aim to offset reductions in federal SNAP distributions, increase access to fresh food for families in need, and sustain local farmers who rely on SNAP spending.