Ep 103: Using SNAP Benefits for CSA

April 14, 2021 by Corinna

Food access is a real issue when it comes to CSA programs. One common complaint lodged against CSA is that its price point, packaging, and delivery feature automatically excludes those with financial limitations. Many farmers have tried using SNAP benefits as a payment method. But because SNAP payments have to be made within a short window of time of receiving the actual product, this means farmers must give up the ability to receive full payment up front.

Today’s guests on the show share a pilot project called “CSA is a SNAP” that they recently implemented in 2020 in the Hudson Valley Coalition. This project uses the help of a revolving fund to make SNAP payments more possible. Although there were several hiccups in the first year of implementation, Megan and Michelle share their take-aways for how this might be the way to a solution. Either way, this is a great discussion about the need to make CSA more accessible to low-income households.

Meet our guests:

Megan Larmer is Senior Director of Regional Food Programs at Glynwood. She leads projects that convene food and farming professionals to further the development of a regional food system in the Hudson Valley. She holds an MA in Anthropology from SOAS, University of London and is currently a PhD researcher at the University of Exeter’s Center for Rural Policy Research. 

Michelle Hughes is Associate Director of Regional Food Programs at Glynwood, bringing to this role her passion for connecting diverse people with varied experiences and expertise to create a more just and resilient food system in the Hudson Valley. At Glynwood, Michelle leads the CSA is a SNAP program, as well as the Regional Food for Health project, an effort to connect the benefits of regenerative agriculture to health and wellness and to engage health care professionals in food systems dialogues. Michelle holds a BS in Conservation Ecology and Agroecology from Rutgers University.

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Some of the resources mentioned in this episode:

• • • Find my Facebook group for farmers! I jump in here every month to teach farmers tips and fundamentals of marketing.
    • Learn more about Regional Food Programs at Glynwood here.
    • Subscribe to the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition here.
    • Join my 7-Day Lead Magnet Challenge here. This challenge will be delivered over the course of 7 days via email and video tutorials. The goal is to help you select, build and connect your first lead magnet so you can start collecting email leads!

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My hope is to feature guests periodically on the show. If you know someone who is innovating in the area of marketing as a farmer, please send me an email at corinna@mydigitalfarmer.com.

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