Hunger rates in Oregon are considerably worse than the national average.[i] Approximately 20% of the population of Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties have incomes below the federal poverty line and about 27% of the children in the region live in food insecure households.

 

Diet-related health problems have become a global problem. The USDA’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) investigated the impact of making fruits and vegetables more affordable for SNAP recipients and results showed a 26% increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. The Corvallis and Albany Farmers’ Markets have offered some sort of SNAP match since 2011 and the demand has gone up yearly. Last year $34,996 was raised and distributed to SNAP recipients at the two markets who bought produce from local farmers. In addition to this locally raised money, $50,796 federally issued SNAP dollars were brought into strengthening our local food system.

 

Fresh and Local First is an all volunteer 501c3 tax-exempt organization. Every penny we raise goes to increasing the buying power of low income people at farmers’ markets in Linn and Benton counties. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.

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