Amid funding snag, Maine ‘Harvest Bucks’ program for needy gets community investments

      Posted On: April 11, 2018

AUGUSTA — A program that rewards thousands of low-income Mainers receiving financial food assistance for using their benefits to buy locally grown food such as that found at farmers markets is in funding jeopardy this spring.

But Maine farmers market, including those in Augusta and Waterville, are turning to community support and other solutions to bridge the gap even as official seek renewed federal grant support for the growing program.

The Maine Harvest Bucks program, local farmers markets’ organizers say, gives low-income residents incentives to eat healthier food while simultaneously giving farmers a new customer base, which they might not otherwise reach, for what they grow.

Amid funding snag, Maine ‘Harvest Bucks’ program for needy gets community investments