Food equity programs made a debut in area farmers markets in May, and already, two have yielded nearly $41,000 for small farmers as well as fresh, locally-grown food to over 5,000 people at no cost.
This summer, Trillium Community Health Plan partnered with the nonprofit Willamette Farm and Food Coalition (WFFC) to launch a two-year project to support local farmers and food banks and increase the community’s access to healthy food. WFFC received a $1.5 million grant from Trillium to stimulate the local food economy throughout the next two years.
Sarah Kelley Brewer, Trillium plan president, and CEO, said it is part of a “series of strategic initiatives that will make it easier for individuals and families facing food insecurity to access fresh, nutritious fruits, vegetables, and meat grown and raised locally in Lane County.”
According to Food for Lane County, the number of individuals in the county who report having hunger but not eating due to a lack of food accessibility increased by 7% from 2021 to 2023.
WFFC works with seven farmers markets — South Valley (Cottage Grove), Veneta, Florence, Lane County (Eugene), Whiteaker, Spencer Creek, and Oakridge — to expand affordable access to local food for low-income families and strengthen the economic stability of small farms.
Trillium’s generous grant gave WFFC the funding to start implementing these food equity programs throughout the community. These programs are available at any of the seven markets and are accepted by all vendors.
“There hasn’t been any program in place to provide assistance for protein items … there’s a strong need for that because the cost point is typically higher,” said Saoirse Scott, WFFC’s outreach and event coordinator. “We wanted to make sure we are helping them buy protein because people need protein.”
The WFFC noticed this community-wide diet deficit and sprung into action.
Two programs — Little Lettuce and Bucka Bucka Bucks—lower the cost for children and adults to access locally grown, fresh food.
The Little Lettuce program targets children ages 12 and under to get them accustomed to spending their own money, picking out healthy food, and talking to local farmers.
Children only need to write down their name and family size at an info booth to receive a $5 token. With this, they can buy any of the eligible products at the market, including vegetables, fruits, and plant starts, regardless of family income or background.
Bucka Bucka Bucks is a protein access program that gives people of all ages $5 tokens to buy poultry products and eggs.
Bucka Bucka Bucks has an income requirement of less than or equal to 300% of the federal poverty level, which is the threshold you need to reach to be considered above the poverty level. That’s about $45,180 per year for a household of one, $61,320 for a household of two, and $77,460 for a household of three. The federal poverty level is adjusted every year to determine eligibility for different aid programs.
At all participating farmers’ markets, the info booths offer a chart with clearly listed income requirements for each family size.
To participate in these food equity programs, you don’t need to do anything ahead of time or even live locally. If you go to a farmers market and check in at the info booth, you’ll be able to sign up for the programs there.
“These programs have had an immense impact on our ability to increase our community’s access to fresh local food, further economic growth for our farmers and producers, and contribute to a robust local economy,” said Tassia Fahsbender, South Valley Farmers Market’s operations manager. “Investing in local food is a win, win, win!”
During the two-year grant period, WFFC’s mission is to support up to 50,000 community members through these food accessibility initiatives.
Going forward, WFFC is working on sustaining these programs and “making sure they can be in our community for years and years to come,” said Scott.
