Michigan Department of Human Services News Release
Contact: Colleen Steinman, MDHS, (517) 241-5678; Heather Throne, MDA, 517-373-1085
Sept. 5, 2008
At farmer’s markets across the state, Michigan food assistance recipients
can use their benefits to obtain farm fresh, nutrient dense fruits and
vegetables. Compared to other Midwest states, Michigan leads with 18 farm
markets accepting Bridge Card electronic benefits.
Michigan’s Food Assistance Program provides federal Food Stamp dollars to
low-income families and individuals to supplement their food purchasing
power and prevent hunger. In comparison to Michigan, Ohio has seven
participating markets; Illinois has five; and Wisconsin has four.
Michigan’s participating markets can be found from the Eastern Market in
Detroit to Sweetwater Local Foods Market in Montague and even into the
Upper Peninsula with farmer’s markets in Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie. A
list of all 18 locations is available on our Web site.
“Farmers markets are a good option for people to spend their food
assistance dollars on healthful fresh fruits and vegetables,” DHS Director
Ismael Ahmed said. “Adults and children benefit from the nutrition of fresh
produce.”
An increasing number of Michigan residents rely on the Food Assistance
Program. In June 2008, a total of 602,323 households received food
assistance. More than 1.2 million individuals receive an average of about
$100 a month. The program brings federal dollars into the local economy.
For every $5 in benefits provided by federal dollars, there is an
additional $9.20 in economic activity in the local community.
”In fact, for every dollar spent locally on fresh fruits and vegetables,
three to seven different local businesses are impacted before that dollar
leaves the local economy,” said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. “If every
Michigan household spends just $10 per week of their current grocery budget
on local foods, we’d keep more than $37 million each week circulating
within our state.”
For more information, please consult the DHS Web site at
www.michigan.gov/foodstamps. For additional information on farmers markets,
please visit http://www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu/
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