Linwood Polk encourages recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to eat healthy foods.
However, Polk is not a member of the Division of County Operations staff. He’s a fresh food vendor, and DHS community partner, who participates in the SNAP Farmer’s Market Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) project at the Bernice Garden Farmers Market in Little Rock.
“There have been times when I’ve had extra produce on me that I gave to people while telling them if they’re on SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks makes fresh, locally grown food more affordable,” Polk said.
Recipients of SNAP, a federal program formerly known as food stamps that provides nutrition assistance to people who meet the income requirements, can double the amount of fruits and vegetables they purchase through DUFB. The food bucks program allows a SNAP client to receive a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $20 per market day, to buy fruits and vegetables.They get two for the price of one.
“I’ve been poor most of my life. I know what it’s like to have to battle to make ends meet,” Polk said. “So, I like how Double Up Food Bucks helps people with food costs and helps them afford healthy foods.”
Polk also appreciates how SNAP and DUFB provide a boost to Arkansas’s economy.
“Purchasing from local farmers means you’re supporting their families and the people of Arkansas as a whole,” he said. “That’s one reason why I’m part of the program, because it helps me make money to feed my own family. And by participating as a vendor, I’m in position to help other people in need get easier access to a larger amount of healthy food.”
There are 18 farmers markets in Arkansas and seven Harps grocery stores in the state that honor DUFB.
For a list of those locations go to http://arkansasobesity.org/initiatives/dufb.html.