Oklahoma's SNAP Program Helps Farmers Market Shoppers Double Their Money

Most of us are always looking for ways to stretch our food dollars.

Well, some people are now getting help through Oklahoma's nutrition assistance program, which can double their benefits at area farmers markets.

Every Wednesday, the Brookside edition of the Cherry Street Farmers Market sets up next to Whole Foods, and you can't help noticing the Double Up Oklahoma, SNAP tokens redemption signs and other information about SNAP and farmers markets.

Penni Shelton with the Cherry Street Farmers Market said, "Double Up Oklahoma is now what we are calling it. We've been doing this program since 2012."

The pilot program launched in 2012; and now, thanks to a grant from the Agriculture Department, the program has expanded to nine farmers markets around the state.

"People that come to the market and use their SNAP card, we will match their purchase up to $20 every time they come to one of our markets," Shelton said.

Say you wanted to spend $10 off your SNAP card, you would get $10 in tokens - good for anything at the market - and 10 more Double Up coins, good for fruit and vegetables. You’ve doubled her money.

Last year, 615,000 Oklahomans were enrolled in SNAP.

You can find more information about the program, and a list of approved farmers markets here.