Cache Valley Weather

Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program, will now be able to purchase food, vegetables plants, and seeds at the Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market, encouraging SNAP households to buy delicious, nutritious, locally grown and produced foods. SNAP benefits are issued to households with income less that 130% of poverty. Since 2005, there has been a 71% increase in the number of households in Cache Valley that are participating in the SNAP program. With the number of SNAP recipients increasing over the last few years as a result of the economic downturn, and First Lady Michele Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative which promotes healthy eating, the CVGM board saw a need to provide local residents using the SNAP program with the opportunity to make purchases at the weekly market, which runs from May 8 to October 16, 2010. Located at Merlin Olsen Park, 100 South, in Logan, the market opens at 9:00a.m. and ends at 1:00p.m. every Saturday of the season. From opening to closing day, customers can purchase wholesome foods, such as free-range eggs, greens and salad mixes, jams, honey, breads, fruits, and vegetables.
“The Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market Board is really excited about participating in the SNAP program. Part of our mission is to provide healthy, nutritious, local foods to Cache Valley residents. Now, every household no matter their income source, will be able to access the food products sold by our vendors,” reports Liz Butcher, the CVGM board president.
Erin Brewer, a produce vendor at the market says “it is exciting to see the SNAP program supporting local growers and the funds remaining in our local economy.”
In addition to being able to process SNAP benefits, for the first time this year, the market will be able to process credit card purchases at the market booth, allowing customers to purchase food, craft, and produce with their credit or debit card.

• Fruit and vegetables
• Seeds and plants that produce food
• Breads
• Meat, fish, poultry
• Jams, sauces, soups
• Dairy products
• Maple and honey products
• Baked goods that are wrapped and labeled for home consumption

Those interested in vending at this year’s market can download an application from the Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market website at www.gardenersmarket.org or at the local Cache County Extension Office at office at 179 North Main Street in Logan. For more information, contact the CVGM message phone at 755-3950.