Bridge Card use grows at farmers markets

Michigan farmers markets saw a 42 percent increase in the number of purchases made using a Bridge Card last year, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

That’s good news to both the markets and farmers, who are growing their customer base and selling more produce, and to consumers, who have more access to healthy, locally grown food, according to those involved with farmers markets at the state and local levels.

“I think it’s just tremendous that families across the state who are experiencing economic hardship can support local farmers and have access to healthy foods,” said Dru Montri, director of the Michigan Farmers Market Association. “We feel very strongly that farmers markets and local farms should have access to food assistance benefits.”

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20130105/NEWS01/301050018/Bridge-Card-use-grows-farmers-markets