Market Bucks now accepted at Winter Markets
Photo courtesy Olmsted County Public Health, Photographer: Steve Niedorf
January isn’t the time of year we normally think of farmers markets. Below zero temperatures keep most of us inside curled up under a blanket, not shopping for fresh produce and other food products. Despite the freezing temps, eight Winter Markets around the state are up and running and are now accepting Market Bucks.
Market Bucks help double the purchasing power of SNAP recipients at farmers markets by matching SNAP dollars spent dollar-for-dollar, up to $10. Additional $10 certificates for Market Bucks are available through community partners at food shelves and SNAP Education. A SNAP user can spend $10 and get up to $30 to spend on eligible products at farmers markets.
Winter Markets accepting Market Bucks
Kingfield/Fulton/Nokomis Farmers Market (Neighborhood Roots)
January 23, February 27, March 26 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Bachman’s Garden Center (6010 Lyndale Ave. S)
http://neighborhoodrootsmn.org
Maple Grove Farmers Market
Thursdays – January 14, February 11, March 10, and April 14 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Maple Grove Community Center (12951 Weaver Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55369)
http://www.maplegrovemn.gov/around-the-city/farmers-market/indoor-farmers-market/
Mill City Farmers Market
Jan 9, Feb 13, March 12, April 9 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Indoor Winter Market (704 South 2nd Street Minneapolis, MN 5540)
http://millcityfarmersmarket.org
Minneapolis Northeast Farmers Market
January 16th, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; February 20, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; March 19, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Solar Arts by Chowgirls (711 15th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 554130)
http://www.northeastmarket.org/
Hutchinson Farmers Market
Jan 16, Feb. 20, Mar 19, Apr 16 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
25 Adams Street SE, Hutchinson MN
https://www.facebook.com/HutchinsonFarmersMarket/
Rochester Downtown Farmers Market
January 9, 23; February 6, 20; March 5, 19; April 2, 16, 30 – 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Building #41 at Graham Park/Olmsted County Fairgorunds
http://www.rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org/
St. Paul Downtown Farmers Market
Saturdays 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
290 E 5th St, St. Paul, MN 55101
http://www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com
Twin Cities Mobile Market
Varies – see website for details
https://www.wilder.org/Programs-Services/tcmm/Pages/Mobile-Market-Map.aspx
In 2015, the Minnesota Legislature approved the “Healthy Eating Here at Home” bill (also known as HEHAH), which included funding for the Market Bucks program. Hunger Solutions now administers the program, starting with the Winter Markets and rolling out to all farmers markets accepting SNAP in the spring.