By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Users of food stamps in Ohio can now use their Ohio Direction Card to make purchases at farmers’ markets throughout the state – that was the goal of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) Farmers’ Market Access Project.

The ODA collaborated with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in forming the Farmers’ Market Access Project, which gives more people greater access to homegrown, nutritious food produced by local farmers.

“It’s a win-win situation,” said ODA Public Information Officer Kaleigh Frazier. “This project allows those in need the chance to make purchases at these markets and it will offer grants to farmers’ markets to process food assistance benefits through the Ohio Direction Card.”

This is a credit card used by food stamp recipients. When scanned, the purchase is automatically deducted from the person’s monthly benefit.

“The grants will assist the farmers’ markets in costs associated with installing the infrastructure necessary to accept food assistance and providing outreach efforts,” Frazier added.

Funds for the grant program were made available by Congressional appropriation, with $20,000 available for 2009. Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis and are subject to available funding; they will range from a minimum $500 to a maximum of $1,000.

“The ultimate goals of the Farmers’ Market Access Project are to increase healthy food choices for all Ohioans and to promote the sale of Ohio foods,” Frazier said. “This will benefit Ohio farmers and the state economy.”

USDA statistics show that for every $5 spent in food assistance benefits, $9.20 is generated in total community spending. “There are more than 240 farmers’ markets in the state that may be eligible to accept food assistance benefits using the Ohio Direction Card,” Frazier said.

“Ohioans can locate the farmers’ markets in any Ohio county by using the Ohio Proud website. The benefits are twofold because it not only helps those in need, but it helps local farmers.”

Ohioans can log onto the Ohio Proud website at www.ohioproud.org to find all farmers’ markets in the state.

“This is yet another step in the right direction toward making healthy food available to all Ohioans,” said ODA Director Robert Boggs.

December 31, 2008