Fresh Exchange: A Nutrition Incentive Program for SNAP Recipients

Farmers Markets are for Everyone

Despite having the support of government programs like The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, many families struggle to put food on the table. (For a brief history of Food Stamps and SNAP, we invite you to click here.)

SNAP benefits are distributed through the Oregon Trail Card, which is used like a debit card.  Portland Farmers Market processes SNAP transactions at each of its seven markets, debiting the Oregon Trail Card in exchange for $1 tokens that shoppers can use at vendor stalls.

To help fill the gap and get more farm-direct produce into the hands of our low income neighbors, dedicated community leaders and volunteers have partnered with Portland Farmers Market to establish Fresh Exchange, a token matching program for all SNAP participants. Available at our King and Buckman Markets, Fresh Exchange provides SNAP shoppers with an additional $5 per week in matching tokens to spend on fresh local food.

Fresh Exchange

Fresh Exchange was created by the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods with the belief that every Oregon family is entitled to enjoy our region's bounty of fresh, nutritious food. Launched at the King Market in 2009, the program exapanded to the Buckman Market in 2010 with support from community volunteers.

Fresh Exchange provides SNAP shoppers with a dollar-for-dollar match (up to an additional $5 per week) to spend with market vendors. By making their benefit dollars go farther, Fresh Exchange encourages SNAP beneficiaries to frequent farmers markets, so they can enjoy the best local food and support local farmers. 

Since the inception of the Fresh Exchange program, more than $44,000 has been distributed to neighbors in need. These funds have ultimately been directed into the hands of our region’s food producers, contributing to the success of our local food economy and fostering healthier communities.

Download the 2011 Annual Fresh Exchange Report to learn more.

How can you help?

We invite you to make a contribution in support of Fresh Exchange to help further our collective goal of fresh, healthy food for all our citizens.  With one in five Oregonians receiving SNAP benefits, this program is more important than ever before.

Your generous contributions serve a dual function—putting food on the table for low-income families, and supporting small family farms.  You can contribute to this vital program by mailing your donation to:

Fresh Exchange
c/o Portland Farmers Market
240 N. Broadway, Suite 129
Portland, OR 97227

For questions about Fresh Exchange, using tokens at the market, or the Portland Farmers Market season, please call the Market office at 503.241.0032 or email Anna Curtin.

Fresh Exchange Sponsorship

Program organizers invite a limited number of sponsorships to help further our mission to make healthy food available to all our citizens. In return for a monetary donation, contributors are provided recognition opportunities at the market and in Fresh Exchange outreach materials. For more information, call 503.241.0032 to speak with Anna Curtin.