Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories City plans event for TAP line Signups underway for classes for older adults Airport, historic commissioners named; vacancies remain on other panels Boosters Club needs parents to volunteer Ashland makes nationwide 'Great Places' list Education Signups underway for classes for older adults They're back (and they've brought friends) Free TED talk simulcast in Ashland Schneider Children's Center branches out Getting a 'Fresh Start' Environment OR-7's pups true wolves Mt. Ashland Hill Climb Agency says hatcheries OK on Columbia Do you think foods containing GMOs should say so on the label? SOU sells energy credits to Chevy Business Loving the leather at Village Shoes Family Massage center leaving busy corner for homier site Oregon Trail Card users can shop at farmers markets 1-800 Flowers.com to buy Harry & David Happy Labor Day Politics and elections Airport, historic commissioners named; vacancies remain on other panels Two races set for council positions Library district won't take maximum tax rate Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings Taking an independent stand State News Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Dr. Stephen Edward Drabik Martha M. Ekwall Steven J. Borich Dr. Barry Rheault Sports Latest Stories Raiders fight off Northwest Christian (No heading) No. 22 Southern Oregon, No. 2 Carroll set for early-season showdown Boosters Club needs parents to volunteer Mt. Ashland Hill Climb High school Raiders fight off Northwest Christian Boosters Club needs parents to volunteer Grizzlies off on the right foot Grizzlies' sights set on another playoff run Southern Oregon University Raiders fight off Northwest Christian No. 22 Southern Oregon, No. 2 Carroll set for early-season showdown Grizzlies off on the right foot Toiling on the field SOU-Carroll is NAIA game of week Opinion Latest Stories Granlund cartoon: Joan Rivers tribute Granlund cartoon: High-density housing Meeting in the middle Matthew T. Mangino: Facial recognition technology a law enforcement tool Granlund cartoon: Home Depot data breach Editorial Meeting in the middle One small carbon footprint ... Not out of the woods yet Our View: Taking small steps to confront climate change Now's the time to taste the bounty Letters Letters to the Editor, Sept. 4 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 3 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 30 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 29 Letters to the Editor, Aug. 28 Guest opinions Two seemingly disparate moments in history Rauch replies: Frustrating, yes — yet there is method in't The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch Opportunities for civic involvement are plentiful in Ashland Hamas supporters spread anti-Semitism around the world Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Sheila Bender and Jonah Bornstein 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre CultureFest at Oregon Shakespeare Festival Community blog: Poet Willa Schneberg at Bloomsbury Books Community blog:Ashland Book and Author Festival Coming Soon Theater 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre Wise cracks and hot licks make for super show OSF adds 'Wrinkle in Time' Family Night Music The Jeff Stanley Trio at Lounge South Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie listings: Sept. 5-11 Movie listings: Aug. 27-Sept. 4 'Calvary' is about darkness and dialogue Varsity Theatre, Ashland Street Cinemas movie listings: Aug. 22-26 'What If' hits the sweet spot Food and Drink World of Wine celebrates local varietals Lifestyle Latest Stories Mt. Ashland Hill Climb 'Spooky action': Peacemaking through synchronicity Community Blog: Communication is an Art Oregon Trail Card users can shop at farmers markets Learning from the dying what people should know about living Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs NEWS NOW OR-7's pups true wolves ... 10 things to know for Friday ... Best Bets: Sept. 4-11 ... OR-7's pups true wolves ... 10 things to know for Friday ... Best Bets: Sept. 4-11 ... FOOD FOR ALL Oregon Trail Card users can shop at farmers markets Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Markets take part Oregon Trail Card holders can spend their government food assistance benefits at local farmers markets. By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 3, 2014 @ 3:29 pm By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 3, 2014 @ 3:29 pm » Social News Savanah Gardner already had plans for what she would buy using her Oregon Trail Card at the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market in Ashland. "Tonight we'll make a delicious casserole for the kids with tomatoes and zucchini," the Ashland mother of two said this week as she swiped her card at the market information booth and received wooden tokens to use at vendors' booths. The market is one of more than 5,000 farmers markets, roadside stands and you-pick operations across America that allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants to use their benefits to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, plant starts and other goods, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Oregon, SNAP participants use debit card-like Oregon Trail Cards, which replaced the more cumbersome food stamp program of years past. Gardner said the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market's acceptance of the Oregon Trail Card allows her family to enjoy local, organic, delicious produce — while also helping farmers. "We want to support local growers. If everyone is coming down here and pulling together, it goes back into local pockets," she said. Gardner said Oregon Trail Card users can buy plant starts at the market, which allows them to grow their own food and stretch their benefits farther. Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market General Manager Marcella Bell said accepting Oregon Trail Card benefits increases the customer base of vendors. "It also gives people the opportunity to connect with food producers and be in tune with what's in season and what your area grows," Bell said. One day's revenue for the Ashland market from Oregon Trail Cards ranges from $500 to $900, said Market Assistant Mitra Sticklen. Oregon Trail Card users usually have more money to spend at the beginning of the month, and then less as the month goes on and they drawn down their accounts, she said. SNAP participants spent more than $21 million in benefits at farmers markets and other direct-from-the-farmer venues last year, according to USDA data. The USDA has made it a priority to improve direct access between farmers and SNAP participants over the past several years, said USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "Healthy eating reduces health risks later in life, which helps reduce our nation's health costs over the long run," he said. "This new data shows that these efforts are working to provide farmers with a larger customer base and to provide families who use SNAP with more options to buy healthy food." Talent resident Anna Humphreys, who was using her Oregon Trail Card benefits at the Ashland market, said the market's acceptance of the benefits helps vendors and card holders. "It's a blessing for families who might not otherwise be able to afford this food," she said, noting she usually spends about $20 per week at the growers market. "If we're receiving government assistance, it's good to use it to assist farmers." Vendor Jacob Evenich of Shoots Farm in Williams said he appreciates that the market has created a way for Oregon Trail Card holders to shop at the market. He collects the wooden tokens spent by participants throughout the market day, then turns them back in to market managers for cash. The token system saves vendors the hassle and cost of dealing individually with debit, credit and Oregon Trail Cards. "I think it's great. It encourages people to eat real, local food," Evenich said. "It definitely increases our business. It's definitely a positive." The Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market accepts Oregon Trail Cards during its Tuesday Ashland market from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the National Guard Armory at 1420 E. Main St., its Thursday market from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Medford Armory at 1701 S. Pacific Highway, its Saturday market from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oak Street in downtown Ashland and its Saturday market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Commons at the intersection of Sixth and Bartlett Streets in Medford. During the Saturday market in Medford, Oregon Trail Card users will receive $6 in matching rewards for the first $6 of SNAP benefits they spend at the market. For more information about the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market, visit http://www.rvgrowersmarket.com/ . Reach reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or by email at [email protected].     By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 3, 2014 @ 3:29 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501