New stores added to Nutrition Incentive Program

June welcomed 7 more stores to our nutrition incentive programming all across the state, as well as an increase in incentive match at some of our current markets, so SNAP/EBT shoppers now receive $5 of bonus fruits and vegetables for every $5 they spend on local food at almost all of our participating markets. New this year are 4 Season Farm Market in Auburn, 47 Daisies Farm Store in Vasselboro, Eat Local Eastport in Eastport, Frinklepod Farm Store in Arundel, Sheepscot General Store in Whitefield, Spice and Grain in Fryeburg, Royal River Natural Foods in Freeport, and a few more yet to come!

We were also pleased to offer matching funding for seedlings this year, which wasn't available last year due to a funding restriction—SNAP customers not only can use their benefits to buy seeds and seedlings, but they can use their fruit and vegetable vouchers to purchase even more, and grow their own fresh food! Unity Food Hub offered a special seedling sale through Villageside Farm to showcase this policy change (and provide seedlings to their Harvest Share customers), to the delight of many.

We're looking forward to a fantastic growing—and selling—season with our markets and customers! For a full list of participating retail markets, visit: http://www.maineharvestbucks.org/retail/