One thing that sets Lynchburg apart from other communities is the care that we have for one another. Businesses are constantly looking for ways to give back, and the Lynchburg Community Market is no different. Recently, the market announced that it will be giving SNAP shoppers additional benefits that will help families get fresh fruits and vegetables on the table.
When SNAP shoppers spend $50 or more at the market, the market will give SNAP beneficiaries $50 extra in tokens redeemable there. This means that you can get double the fresh produce for your family!
What is SNAP?
In Virginia, SNAP (or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) can be used like cash to buy eligible food items from authorized retailers. Authorized retailers will display either the Quest logo or a picture of a Virginia EBT card. For those with a limited income, these benefits are a great way to add essential food items into your budget.
Extend Your Benefits
If you are using SNAP benefits to shop, you need to stay budget conscious each week when you purchase groceries. Follow these tips to extend your dollars:
- Keep meals simple
- Cook from scratch
- Choose nutritionally dense foods
- Use meat and cheese sparingly
Read this blog post for more information around grocery shopping on a budget.
Benefits of Fresh Local Produce
We all know that fresh fruit and vegetables are healthy, but did you know that local produce can be even better? Since the produce is local, it is fresher than produce that has been shipped to a store. Fresher produce means more nutrients. Fruits and vegetables lose their optimal nutritional value as soon as they are picked. When picked, vitamins such as C, E, A, and some B vitamins begin to deteriorate and decrease. Other factors such as the exposure to air, artificial lights, and temperature changes can also contribute to the decrease in nutritional value.
Another benefit is that you can purchase produce at its peak state. Local farms can allow their fruits and vegetables to ripen longer or even fully ripen, which also adds to the nutrition. Store bought produce is sometimes picked before it has been fully ripened and allowed to ripen during the transportation process.
Not only is local produce good for your body, it’s good for the economy. Money spent locally stays local. Purchasing locally builds your local economy instead of handing over the earnings to a corporation in another city, state, or country. Also, since the food itself moves through less hands, more of the money you spend will end up in the pockets of those raising and growing those foods.
If you have any questions about nutrition, or where to get nutritious foods locally, our office is here to help! Just stop by any time.
