June 19th, 2021
The MN GOP has once again tried to eliminate a vital program in the disability community. The program called Market Bucks was designed to encourage some of those Minnesotans to use federal benefits — what used to be called food stamps and are now known as SNAP — to pay for healthy food at farmers markets. Participants get a $10 match when they spend $10.
The program is popular, especially with seniors and people with disabilities. “It’s important because it helps people who have limited food access, seniors and others, be able to have more fresh fruits, vegetables and Minnesota-grown products in their diet,” said Colleen Moriarty, executive director of nonprofit organization Hunger Solutions. “And that improves their health outcomes, and improves access to food that they might not otherwise have.”
The program currently costs $325K. That’s it, in a budget of $50B. The Senate GOP says it’s double dipping, they say it’s ‘small potatoes.’ DFL Sen. Erin Murphy says; “It’s not small potatoes. It’s important potatoes.”
Win/Win/Win program. Supports farmers, local economies, and hungry Minnesotans.
We need your help!
The Market Bucks program makes healthy, fresh foods more easily accessible to low-income Minnesotans by matching SNAP/EBT spending at farmers’ markets. Currently, Market Bucks is offered at 99 farmers’ markets in Minnesota.
Funding for the Market Bucks program was eliminated from the Agriculture budget agreement announced a few days ago. Come July 1st, without the funds necessary to continue, the program will come to an abrupt halt—undoubtedly causing confusion and disappointment for all involved.
Get involved and tell our leaders:
WE DEMAND THE MARKET BUCKS BACK IN THE BUDGET
Thank you,
DFL DC Legislative Committee
Join the Disability Caucus
We are DFL members of Minnesota’s Disability Communities.
- We advise and advocate for full inclusion of people with disabilities within every aspect of Minnesota life, including within all aspects of the DFL Party.
- We include people with disabilities, family and friends, advocates and allies.
- We include DFL volunteers, staffers, candidates, and elected officials.
- We share news and information about disability issues and communities.
- We show up for legislative action in our local units and at the Capitol.
- We screen and endorse DFL candidates for state-level and national elections.
- We volunteer with DFL campaigns and issue advocacy.
- In solidarity with other DFL-DC Community Caucuses and Outreach Organizations, we see and respond to intersectional issues for people with disabilities who also carry BIPOC and/or LGBTQA+ identities.
Membership Info and dues
We meet monthly, usually at 2 PM on the 4th Sunday of the month. All meetings are on Zoom and include CART real-time transcription (live captioning). Meetings are open and everyone is welcome. We invite members to join the Legislative, Accessibility, Outreach, Constitution and Endorsement committees.
Annual dues are $10 [PAY HERE ONLINE] but anyone can ask for a dues waiver by emailing us at contact@dfldisability.org or writing it in the message.
DFL Disability Caucus 