As the 2025 season of the Allen County Farmers Market approaches, the market faces several potential challenges, including concerns about long-term funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and changes in leadership.
Federal cuts have forced the market to go without a paid director and may reduce future stipends for the purchase of food through SNAP.
In response, the market is reverting to an all-volunteer board taking the lead, which will be saddled with finding a part-time individual to assist with food assistance programs. In addition to SNAP is the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program.
The supplemental assistance programs provide benefits for low-income families to purchase fresh food while supporting local farmers. Anyone who receives SNAP is eligible for double-up benefits, allowing recipients to double their purchasing power for fresh produce at select grocery stores and farmers markets across the state.
Over 1.1 million Kansas and Missouri residents rely on federal food assistance via SNAP.
Currently, the market board is seeking $1,000 each from Allen County and the City of Iola to fund the part-time position to oversee managing the SNAP transactions. Allen County Commissioners approved a $1,000 contribution during their meeting this week, while Iola City Council members will consider the donation at their April 14 meeting.
Debbie Bearden, secretary for the market, noted the board has heard from an individual interested in the role. The commission’s pledge of $1,000 is a positive step towards securing the position, she added.
Over the past 15 seasons, the Allen County Farmers Market has grown to serve between 3,000 and 5,000 seasonal shoppers annually, and SNAP usage at the market can be as high as $1,997 per season, with as many as 200 individuals using SNAP benefits each year.
IN WASHINGTON, Congress is currently asking committees to slash their budgets over the next decade by $1.5 trillion to pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. This would include about $230 billion in cuts to SNAP over a 10-year period.
The ongoing federal funding challenges, including the potential 20.6% reduction in SNAP funds, have created uncertainty for food assistance programs. Kansas alone could lose approximately $485 million in federal funds across cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Rural communities, including those in Allen County, are especially reliant on SNAP benefits, making these cuts particularly concerning for local residents who depend on food assistance.
“When we first started accepting these programs, we had senior citizens who only had $16 on their EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards for a month to buy food,” said Bearden. “We were really excited when we were able to start the Double Up Food Bucks. That $16 then became $32 they could spend at the market. The Double Up makes the SNAP much more valuable.”
Perhaps a good way to gauge how SNAP reductions could impact the market in the future would be to look to the past. Bearden noted that two years ago, the market was not able to get its SNAP participation renewed in time. “We weren’t able to offer SNAP that year and it went badly,” she said. “It really affected the sales.”
In fact, she noted that several vendors have already inquired whether the market would be offering SNAP this season. “Some vendors have a higher number of SNAP users who shop with them than others do,” she explained. “So, they’ve already asked if we were going to be doing the SNAP and Double UP this year.”
Another case study for the impact of SNAP sales on the market would be to look at sales during the pandemic. “During COVID, the SNAP benefits were increased for many folks,” said Bearden. Due to social distancing, the number of people at the market decreased, but this did not affect overall sales. “The numbers in attendance were lower, but the sales were increasing,” she explained. Instead of an entire family going to the market, just one person would go to do the shopping. The increase in the benefits allowed them to purchase more food — and they did.”
Bearden added the food assistance programs are vital to those who qualify. “For those who need these benefits, it can also really make a difference in the quality of their diet,” she said.
THE FIRST market of the season will be Thursday, May 1, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., on the southeast corner of the Iola square. A Tuesday market will also kick off on May 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Cofachique Park on North State Street.
